UK’s first NHS Trust-approved complementary therapies school students graduate! The very first training school in the UK approved by the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to offer training in complementary therapies to help people with a diagnosis of cancer was launched in North Yorkshire last year. The Natural Health School is based at Harrogate District Hospital’s Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, and provides a range of courses at different grades and for different levels of experience. The School was created to improve the availability of complementary therapies for patients with complex health needs. Very few places in the UK provide complementary therapy treatments for people with cancer and other complex conditions, yet the physical and emotional benefits can be huge. Courses include OFQUAL awarded programmes such as the Level 3 ITEC diploma courses in Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Holistic Massage. The core skills taught on these courses are not specific to patients with cancer, and can be applied to any person wishing to have that treatment. The school also offers Continuing Professional Development and short courses in Palliative Care, Daoyin Tao (a unique blend of Chinese acupressure and Western massage techniques), EMMETT Therapy for Pain Management, the Bowen Technique, (a form of massage) and Self-Care to name but a few. A unique ‘Certificate in Complementary Therapies’ has also been created for Complementary Therapists qualified at Level 3 who wish to develop their skills and practice with cancer patients to the standards required by NHS organisations. Unlike any other training currently available, students are required to achieve set competencies during 100 hours of clinically supervised practice within healthcare settings to ensure safe, confident and competent practitioners. The evening of 17th October was to mark the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students to complete the course and achieve their certificates. Certificates were awarded by Sarah grant, Macmillan Information and Wellbeing Services Manager and Steve Russell, Chief Executive, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to: ITEC level 3 graduates in Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Massage Graduates with the NHS certificate in complementary therapies, occupational health and Cancer pathways Graduates of the Certificate in cancer and palliative care for complementary therapists Special thanks must go to Fiona Adamson and staff at The Granby Care Home for providing a beautiful venue for our first graduation ceremony and education facilities for our students, and Matthew Mackaness and Sarah Johnson, Rudding Park Hotel and Spa for providing outstanding support and education facilities for so many of our courses. Special awards were given to; Sharon Shove for Aromatherapist of the year by Matthew Mackaness, Director and Sarah Johnson Spa manager, Rudding Park Elizabeth Clarke for student of the year by Fiona Adamson, Business Development Manager, The Granby Care Home Melanie Lagan for Academic Achievement by Paul Simpson, Cancer Services Manager and Noreen Hawkshaw, Lead Cancer Nurse The next group of students commenced their learning this month so we are looking forward to next year’s graduation and congratulating the students on their achievements. https://www.brighterkind.com/care-homes/the-granby https://www.ruddingpark.co.uk/
