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Acupuncture

Checked: 16-08-2024 by Rob Adams Next Review: 16-08-2026

Overview

Acupuncture is only available on the NHS in BNSSG ICB as part of a pain management plan available in commissioned Pain Management Clinics. 

Please see link to the acupuncture CBA policy below:

Acupuncture - NHS BNSSG ICB

This policy states:

'Acupuncture will only be funded by the ICB for patients meeting the criteria set out below:
The patient is being managed through a commissioned pain management service and it has been agreed as part of the patient’s Pain Management Plan that a trial of Acupuncture therapy is appropriate, and patients will be provided with a course of Acupuncture therapy up to a maximum of six sessions. In order to assess the
effectiveness of the treatment, with a clinical review carried out following the third treatment session.'

Referral

GPs cannot specifically refer patients for acupuncture treatment.

If referral to a Pain Management Clinic is indicated then this may be offered initially as a trial as part of a pain management program if appropriate.  Other options to consider in managing chronic pain and criteria for referral to to the pain management clinics are available on the Persistent (Chronic) pain page.



Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

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