IRH
086 1778384
irh@live.ie
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for The Irish Register of Herbalists
Introduction
It is a condition of membership of the IRH that all members must comply with the code of Ethics and Conduct, as well as the Constitution.
Legal Requirements
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The practitioner must practise within the limits of any laws that pertain to the practise of herbal medicine, or any other therapy that
he/she practises, within the country in which he/she practises.
The practitioner should not treat animals without the permission or supervision of a veterinary surgeon.
Notifiable diseases should be reported in accordance to applicable laws.
The practitioner may not prescribe any herbal treatment that is prohibited by law.
The Profession
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It is requirement that the practitioner attends at least one CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training per annum.
The practitioner should show integrity, honourable conduct and professionalism, should not speak disrespectfully of any IRH member
or members of any other professional organisation and not commit any acts which bring herbal medicine or the register into disrepute.
The practitioner must not claim to be able to cure a specific illness, any life-threatening or serious disease, or misrepresent the
effectiveness of the practice of herbal medicine.
The practitioner must not deliberately persuade a patient to see them who is already seeing a professional colleague; however the
patient has the right to see whom he/she chooses to consult.
Should a member of IRH not practice within The Code of Ethics the IRH Constitution provides a disciplinary procedure.
The practitioner should notify IRH immediately if subject to any disputes or to any investigation into their practise by the police or
government, or any circumstance that may lead to an insurance claim.
Insurance
Each member must carry professional indemnity insurance in all of the countries in which he/she practices herbal medicine as well as any other
therapy which he/she practice in respect of patient, practice, public and product liabilities.
Premises
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The practitioner must practise from premises that are appropriate to the professionalism of herbal medicine. Signs and nameplates used
should be within the boundaries of professional discretion.
The premises must comply with all relevant current health and safety regulations to ensure that there is adequate lighting, heating,
ventilation, toilets, electrical installations, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
Should the practitioner retire or move premises, he/she should ensure that adequate arrangements are made to enable patients to receive
treatment.
Only certificates and diplomas from bona fide educational establishments and professional registers should be displayed.
A first aid kit must be available on the premises at anytime.
Practice Management And Dispensing
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All staff employed by IRH members must have the relevant qualifications for which they are employed. All herbal medicines must be
dispensed by a qualified herbalist. The practitioner is responsible for mistakes in dispensing.
The ultimate responsibility lies with practitioner for the quality and shelf life of all herbal medicines dispensed from their clinic.
All members must take full past medical history and record all medications and dosages patient is taking and note drug-herb
interactions.
All prescriptions should carry clear instructions to the patient as to how and when it should be taken; it should be clearly labelled with
the date, the ingredients (unless given on an accompanying sheet), the patient's name, and the practitioners name and contact details.
Each practise must have a clear complaints procedure in place.
The practitioner should outline the costs of treatment and medicine to the patient, the policies of confidentiality and possible duration
of treatment. If a treatment other than herbal medicine is/could be offered then this should be made clear to the patient.
It is the duty of all persons involved in producing waste to dispose of it safely and effectively. Items such as tongue depressors, swabs,
surgical gloves should be incinerated in special containers. It is important that they are disposed of in a way which presents the least
risk to the public.
The Practitioner
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The practitioner must practice within the limits of his/her professional qualifications, where necessary the patient should be referred to
the appropriate health professional. .
The practitioner must not advise the patient to reduce, alter or stop taking their prescribed medication without first consulting the
practitioner who had prescribed it. The practitioner must make this point clearly to the patient.
Irish Register of Herbalists
Mobile: +353 (0)86 1778384
Email: irh@live.ie
IRH
086 1778384
irh@live.ie
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In the examination of intimate areas – the breast, internal or external genitalia, anus and perineum – written consent must be obtained
from the patient and it is recommended that a chaperone be present. Patients must be covered as much as possible during the
examination and the practitioner must wear medical gloves as a protection for both the patient and themselves. Some internal
examinations may require medical lubrication. The patient must be advised of the procedure and of the reason and method of the
examination. This all should be recorded in the notes.
When the practitioner becomes aware of any mental, emotional or physical health problems that interfere with his/her ability to practice
competently, she/he should seek help at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Patient
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The patient has the right to have any medical language that he/she does not understand clearly explained to them.
If a patient who is in hospital requests treatment the physician and hospital staff responsible for the patient's care must be informed
either by the patient; his/her parents, guardian or close family; or the practitioner themselves.
If the patient is under the age of 18, it is always advisable to obtain the consent of the parent or guardian.
A parent or supervising adult must be present during any treatment or examination of a child under the age of sixteen, or of a mentally
handicapped patient.
Confidentiality and Record Keeping
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The practitioner is personally responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality at all times and if there is more than one practitioner
working together in a group practice, it must be made clear by written agreement who is responsible for the confidentiality of patient
notes.
If the practitioner needs to reveal patient details to a third party this must only be done with the written consent of the patient - the
reason, the information to be discussed and to whom it will be divulged must all be made clear. The nature of any discussions, which
subsequently take place, must be recorded in the patient's notes.
The practitioner may disclose confidential information to another medical practitioner for the purpose of gaining a second opinion, but
must not in any way reveal the patient's identity.
The practitioner may disclose confidential information including patient identity to another herbalist who is acting as a locum, during
the period of such employment with the patients permission.
A thorough case history should be taken sufficient for any other herbalist to be able to work from, and the prescription recorded in a
manner that can be understood by a professional colleague.
Records must be kept for at least seven years, and if destroyed after this period should be done so in a way that guarantees
confidentiality.
Client notes must include
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Name, address, telephone number, and date of birth
Details of medical history
Dates and details of all therapies provided
Details of medication taken by the client and the name of the professional prescriber.
Any diagnosis of the clients condition by a competent authority
Notes of all recommended referrals to the GP, hospital or other health care provider.
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Irish Register of Herbalists
Mobile: +353 (0)86 1778384
Email: irh@live.ie