Silver Jubilee Celebrations For British Holistic Medical Association

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 07 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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On April 18th and 19th the British Holistic Medical Association (BHMA) is celebrating its Silver Jubilee year with a ground breaking conference in London: Medicine as if People Matter: Patients, Practitioners and Places.

In recognition of this milestone, Patients Association President, Claire Rayner, will open the conference on 18th April, reminding us why, when medical technology seems all powerful, medicine as if people matter is more important than ever. The first afternoon of the conference is free to anyone who books a place.

Sunand Prasad, President of RIBA will present the BHMA-Nutri Centre Healing Spaces awards at 7.15 pm on Friday night. Prizes of £2000 and £500 will be awarded for buildings that best reflect the part played by architecture, interior design, the use of sound, light, colour, or new ways of using healthcare space creatively. Entries have come in from general practices, hospices, hospitals, cancer care units, complementary medicine clinics; even a mortuary!

The conference will launch BHMA's 'Going for Gold' Fundraising venture in support of its next 25 years' work. The BHMA is aiming to raise £1 million pounds to achieve its Golden Jubilee goals. If you feel you can help, would like to join the BHMA or donate money to the fund, please contact: Diana Brown at the BHMA office on 01278 722000. Email: admin@bhma.org or write to us at BHMA, FREEPOST RLYZ-AZJT-KBZZ, P.O. Box 371, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 9GB and request your free sample of the Journal of Holistic Health Care. Alternatively - do visit us on line at: http://www.bhma.org

Notes

When the BHMA was founded in 1983 it seemed medicine was in danger of losing its humanity under an avalanche of drug-based medicine that was squeezing the satisfaction out of doctoring. It was clear that hi-tech medicine needed the balance of holistic practice: whole person healthcare delivered by creative practitioners who feel positive about their work and stay healthy themselves.

These concerns are still with us and the BHMA is becoming a focal point for patients and practitioners who want to learn more about compassionate, supportive healthcare practice. With advances in body-mind science, there are great opportunities for holistic thinking and practice. It's time we re-thought health and healthcare. Advances in medical technology and rocketing NHS budgets are not enough. Patients and health workers alike need better integration of health care effort, and more holistic understandings of health and dignity.

Members of the BHMA include doctors, GP's, nurses, patients, complementary practitioners, physiotherapists, health administrators, artists, environmentalists, architects, consultants, academics, television presenters; they span all ages. Each person though, shares a common goal - to promote and develop a caring healthcare system that supports others - whether practitioners or patients with acute or long-term issues.

The BHMA is chaired by Dr. David Peters, Professor of Integrated Care, University of Westminster, London, it forms alliances with professional and patient groups aiming to promote whole person health care, helps shape holistic policies for education and practice, provides a forum for healthcare students. Friends of the BHMA who make a donation of £20.00 annually receive a quarterly newsletter updating them on the latest news and campaigns.

The BHMA's quarterly journal is called The Journal of Holistic Healthcare.

http://www.bhma.org

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