Bulletin: June 2023
Integrative & Personalised Medicine Congress 2023
29th June – 1st July 2023 at the QEII Centre, Westminster, London UK
Time is running out to book your attendance at the Integrative & Personalised Medicine Congress, who has provided the following information for us:
The largest conference and exhibition designed for medical & healthcare professionals focusing on patient-centred, whole-person care in the UK. Highly acclaimed healthcare professionals will present the latest evidence-based research and case studies during three cutting-edge conferences (Whole-person Health, Integrative Mental Health, Food on Prescription), taking place alongside an international exhibition and programme of CPD approved workshops.
Hosted by a range of organisations and associations, the CPD approved workshops are designed for the growing number of healthcare professionals who are embracing whole-person patient centred care.
Taking place alongside the cutting-edge conferences and international exhibition, the workshops will showcase the latest products and services in integrative medicine, feature case studies demonstrating the benefits of whole-person health and provide the tools to aid putting an integrative approach into practice.
More than 2000 participants are expected to attend the Congress and registrations are coming in from across Europe. Why not join them and be inspired by highly acclaimed experts sharing the latest knowledge and ideas, understand the benefits of evidence-based integrative approaches and network with like-minded individuals.
The International exhibition will showcase the latest products and services designed for integrative healthcare professionals from a range of companies from across the globe.
The GHSC and GHR are acknowledged supporters of this important Conference and as such GHR practitioners can register for the discounted members rate using the promotional code: GHR-20.
Conference passes start from £200 per day (exhibition and workshop only passes from just £25).
To find out more and register, visit: www.ipmcongress.com/register
View website: www.ipmcongress.com
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Advertising Guidance – What is the CAP Code and how does it apply to you?
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is the sister organisation of the Advertising Standards Authority and is responsible for writing the UK Advertising Codes.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the organisation responsible for administering the CAP Codes and for receiving complaints about advertising.
All those involved in advertising in any way (not just healthcare practitioners) are required to be aware of the requirements of CAP and the ASA.
What type of advertising is covered by the CAP Code?
Since 1 September 2010 the CAP Code has applied to: “Advertisements and other marketing communications by or from companies, organisations or sole traders on their own websites, or in other non-paid-for space online under their control, that are directly concerned with the supply or transfer of goods, services, opportunities and gifts, or which consist of direct solicitations of donations as part of their own fund-raising activities.”
In other words, advertising means anywhere that you advertise your services including your website, any leaflets, posters or other printed materials and any social media sites where you make claims about your services. This includes Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other platforms.
The following Rules from the CAP Code are particularly relevant:
12.1 Objective claims must be backed by evidence, if relevant, consisting of trials conducted on people. Substantiation will be assessed on the basis of the available scientific knowledge.
12.2 Marketers must not discourage essential treatment for conditions for which medical supervision should be sought. For example, they must not offer specific advice on, diagnosis of or treatment for such conditions unless that advice, diagnosis or treatment is conducted under the supervision of a suitably qualified health professional. Accurate and responsible general information about such conditions may, however, be offered.
Do Testimonials and Reviews constitute advertising?
CAP uses the terms testimonials and reviews interchangeably and have advised that they are likely to count as advertising if they are edited or actively incorporated into your own marketing. If they are not, they are likely to count either as organic ‘user generated content’ or as editorial content.
For example, if you have a dedicated section on your website where clients can post testimonials and reviews, and you don’t edit or cherry-pick the testimonials or reviews that they leave (except to carry out basic moderation such as removing anything that is hateful or seriously offensive), then you are unlikely to be considered responsible for the content of those testimonials or reviews.
The ASA is only likely to consider that you are responsible for the content of that section of your website if it:
Includes testimonials or reviews that you have collated and gathered from elsewhere, or
is moderated to remove negative ones, or
is re-ordered to draw attention to those that you particularly like, or
if you quote these testimonials or reviews anywhere else.
If you provide a link to an organic review section, this isn’t likely to bring the content of those reviews within the remit of the CAP Code. Likewise, if clients publish reviews about you on social media, these reviews aren’t likely to count as ads for your services unless you have incentivised your clients to do so.
However:
if you repost these reviews or otherwise ‘quote’ them and incorporate it into your own marketing, then it’s likely to be brought within the remit of the Code
if your advertising links to an individual review that you wish to highlight, there is a risk of bringing that individual review into the remit of the ASA, but if the link is just to a review section or another external site where un-moderated, organic consumer reviews appear, CAP does not think you would be responsible for the content.
It is essential to note that if you or your website manager yourselves publish testimonials or reviews on your website you must have the consent of the client to do so and you must hold research evidence to substantiate any claims made in them.
Why evidence is so important?
CAP has stated that in the event of a complaint to the ASA, the key issue will be the evidence base for any statement made in an advert. ASA will only consider research evidence that is submitted in response to a complaint.
How can you get help with meeting the CAP Code?
The CAP Copy Advice Team provides a free advice service and will check advertising claims prior to publication – usually within 24 hours. (Please ensure you leave ample time between seeking advice and amending your advertising prior to publication.) They can be contacted through the ASA website at Bespoke Copy Advice – see https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-and-resources/bespoke-copy-advice.html
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Support for Research Project requested
We would draw your attention to a nationwide research study being carried out by a PhD student, Pamela Radcliffe of the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, England.
Requesting participants in a scientific survey of memory beliefs
All qualified hypnotherapists and therapeutic mental health professionals are invited to take part in a voluntary, online survey about personal memory beliefs
It’s quick (takes about 10 mins), easy and anonymous
For more information and to join the survey click on this link: https://portsmouthpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b2cTqT8OATv5GvA
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The Administration Team
Views expressed within the above material and any conclusions reached are those of the author/s
and not necessarily shared by the GHR or the GHSC
©General Hypnotherapy Register
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