Governance
Acupuncture Society – Governance
Chairman and Director – Paul Robin
Paul Robin Cert. Ac TCM, MCAA, CAcS, MPCHM.
Principle of the College of Chinese Medicine, Chairman of the Acupuncture Society
Paul Robin has been teaching and practicing Traditional Chinese medicine for over 30 years. He was trained in the Fook Sang Chinese style by Dr Ac Bernard Kai Lam Lee (who was a TCM specialist brought over from China by the then British Acupuncture Association), and qualified in 1987. Paul was Dr Lee’s full time apprentice and assistant for 9 years during which time he conducted research and lectured at the Fook Sang courses held at Imperial College and was President of the Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Practitioners Association, who were the only association noted at that time in the BMA handbook.
He lectured to Medical Doctors on the benefits to Acupuncture and Chinese medicine at the Leicester Royal Infirmary at at other venues around the country alongside Dr Lee, who was highly motivated and respected as an expert at that time. Paul was quoted in many mainstream newspaper articles representing the profession on important public health and research issues.
He founded in 1994, the College of Chinese Medicine and in 1996 founded the Acupuncture Society in order to establish Chinese style Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in the UK and to create an ethical, professional, disciplinary and safety code to protect the public and clients of TCM practitioners. Later on in 2013 Paul formed the British Acupuncture Federation and stepped down as Director in in 2015
Paul specialises in Spinal, Traditional and Chinese Medical Style Deep Needling Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Diagnosis, Microsystems Acupuncture and complex Chinese Herbal formulations.
He represented the Acupuncture Society in the Acupuncture Stakeholders Group which was working with leading members of the profession toward the future regulation of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine and preparing for the professions inclusion into the NHS.
Paul has taught may students from around the world, both lay and medical and continues to lecture at the College of Chinese Medicine in London and Edinburgh, he is now focused on teaching and running the Acupuncture Society
Email acusoc@yahoo.co.uk
Vice Chair:
Amanda Shayle Dip. Ac TCM MAcS MPCHM Cert. NatSci (Open)
Since 2005 Amanda has been representing the Society and working on behalf of our profession
She lectured to promote Patient Choice for acupuncture within the NHS and to research communities (North Central London Research Consortium), and organised the Complimentary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Primary Care Conference 2007. The objective was to promote integration of complimentary medicine research within an NHS framework.
She also attended events by the Kings Fund research events. and was a .Member of the Acupuncture Stakeholder Group – working towards statutory regulation of acupuncture and other political/education issues affecting the profession.
Amanda worked on behalf of the Society to establish the Microsystems Acupuncture Register for the CNHC Complimentary & Natural Healthcare Council, and represents us on the CNHC Profession-Specific Board. This register is now PSA approved under the CNHC umbrella and has enabled a growing cohort of practitioners of different niches to work under a regulatory framework to protect the public and gain professional recognition.
She attends meetings on behalf of the Acupuncture Society in UK Europe and around the world, at “International Meetings”, “Science Day” and “Education Forums” at the TCM Kongress
She is also involved in representing the Society to become members of the ETCMA, European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. This has a large international membership of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine professionals.
Amanda founded Acuregen Limited, Amanda has taught her system of acupuncture across Europe, Middle East, Scandinavia, Japan, Canada and USA where she is currently also working closely on an academic project with NCCAOM, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. This major and also international organisation also accredits her continued education courses in the USA.
In summary her continued relationship with professional acupuncture bodies has enabled the Acupuncture Society to maintain current knowledge of issues affecting the growth, development and safety of acupuncture at a UK and global level.
Regulatory Committee
The members of the regulatory committee are the Acupuncture Society’s regulatory and promotional officers. The Committee is responsible for advising in respect of professional standards, regulatory compliance, health and safety practice, ethical practice, disciplinary and appeals procedures, CPD, advertising standards and data protection and public representation, members acting as ambassadors of the Acupuncture Society at forums, conferences, in stakeholder engagement and with the media.
The members of the Regulatory Committee are:
Paul Robin Chair Email: acusoc@yahoo.co.uk
Amanda Shayle Email: acuregen@gmail.com
Kirsten Dhar Email: kirstendhar@hotmail.com
Dragomir Lubomirov Email: dragomirl@btinternet.com
The Advisory Board
Duties of the Advisory Board: To provide member feedback from each of the 4 Nations on the practice environment, on the services provided by the Society for members and CPD or any other matters. To advise and provide views on the strategy of the Society presented by the Chair, and make any recommendations in respect of activities, services or developments, to advise on any proposed publications, research or other outputs. To receive and comment on the annual report from the Chairman. To attend the Advisory Board which will normally meet once a year either in person or on Zoom. The roles are voluntary and not remunerated. Membership of the Advisory Board will be reviewed after three years.
The members of the Advisory Board comprise one or more practitioner representatives for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and other members providing specialist professional experience in the sector or from other sectors.
Member Representatives:
England
Paul Brecher Dip. Ac TCM, FAcS MPCHM
In 2001 Paul was appointed after a long and extensive apprenticeship with Paul Robin as Vice Principal of The College of Chinese Medicine and in 2003 he served as Principal of The College of Chinese Medicine until 2019 when he retired from teaching. Paul is now focused on his authorship, practice of Taiji Chuan and clinical treatments.
Paul’s books on the Chinese martial arts and healing arts have been translated into many different languages for the international market. He has sold over 100,000 books worldwide, including in mainland China, and his books on Acupuncture and TCM are available at the College of Chinese Medicine Book store.
Email: paul@taiji.net
Tuina UK Representative
Errol Dexter Lynch Dip. Ac TCM TN
Thai and Oriental Bodyworkers therapies representative
KEI DE FREITAS Dip ATMMT, TTAO, OOM
Kei is an experienced therapist and has worked with some of the top traditional oriental medicine clinics in the UK. Kei has taught Traditional Thai Therapy to many successful therapists from around the world
He studied at centre for Tibetan studies, Thai foot therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping therap, BSY Professional Thai massage, ITM Tok sen therapy Chiang Mai Thailand
Thai herbal compress therapy Old Medicine Hospital Chiang Mai, Noam Tyroler School of Thai acupressure, Traditional Thai Acupressure For Orthopedic pains, Sinchai therapy school Chiang Mai thai massage diploma, Lek Chaya Nerve Touch therapy School Chiang Mai
Advance Nerve touch therapy diploma, Union of Traditional Thai Medicine Society Department Of Medical services Ministry of Public Health Thailand in Advance Thai Medical Massage therapy Thai healing arts school Chiang Mai ancient Tok sen therapy diploma.
Kei has taught many students Thai Medical Massage with Cupping and Poultices at his Shivago Thai Therapy Centre in Edinburgh and well as many other locations and hosts visiting experts from around the world.
Kei Ngu Email info@shivagothaiclinic.com
Scotland
Colin Haig Dip. Ac TCM Scottish TCM and Tuina Representative
Colin began studying Tuina therapy in 2008 after qualifying he completed two Clinical internships in 2011 in the Huaihua City hospital (Hunan province) & the Red cross hospital Zheijiang completing 350 clinical hours. He furthered Tai chi chuan/ Chi kung training in the Wudang mountains to compliment Traditional Tcm methodology. On returning from China inspired by TCM doctors he began studying Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine at the College of Chinese Medicine. He a special interest in Scalp & Sacred Turtle Acupuncture. Colin has a Level 3 award in Education & training and currently teaching assistant to CCM Scotland. Colin has a private clinic near Edinburgh offering all aspects of Traditional Chinese healthcare.
Colin Haig Email haigermeister@googlemail.com
Will Beverage Dip. Ac TCM Scottish TCM Therapist Representative
Will qualified in Traditional, Orthopedic, Paravertebral, and Auricular Acupuncture with TCM Diagnosis at CCM in 2012 after extensive prior training and clinical experience in Tuina with Errol Lynch at Tuina UK, he also did a number of clinical internships at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM China, and later studied Master Tung Acupuncture, Advanced Scalp Acupuncture for Neurological Conditions, Yuan Qi classical Acupuncture, Dragon Moxa , Classical pulse diagnosis, Osteopathic Spinal Manipulation, Osteon Manual Therapy, APBC Manipulative Therapy and is a Qi Gong Level 1 Instructor. He also founded the Trigram Acupuncture School in Edinburgh where he teaches a combined Trigram TCM Acupuncture and Tuina therapy
Email willbevclinic@gmail.com
Wales
Annie Jenkins Dip Ac TCM, A.S.K. DIP
Annie has an active IQ level 3 award in education and training, and is a vocational assessor
She teaches Acupuncture at CCM in London and runs a Kinesiology Foundation and Practitioner Diploma Course in East Sussex. She trained for 7 years at the International College of Oriental Medicine and did further studies at the College of Chinese Medicine, London. Annie keeps up to date by attending many seminars throughout the year. Annie’s has extensive experience and qualifications in many branches of complementary medicine: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, Kinesiology, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture LCTA, Bowen Technique, Foot Health Care S.A.C. FHPT. FHTT, Indian Head Massage IHHT, Holistic Massage IHHT, Reflexology SSR, Aromatherapy IHHT, and Reiki.
Ireland
Anthony Monteith. B.Sc. (Hons), Lic. Acu., Dip Tuina, Dip. ECK.
Is an experienced teacher in many TCM modalities he specialties: Neuro Acupuncture for MS, Parkinson’s, Stroke Recovery. Advanced Tuina for Orthopaedic pain and internal diseases
Acupuncture, Chinese Patent Herbs Chinese Herbal Balms
Sports Massage Rehabilitation Qi Gong/Chi Kung Instructor. He is the Founder of Qi Life Academy Experience Qi Life Method, and Principle of Institute of Natural Medicine in Ireland
Anthony qualified in Medical and Traditional Acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Qi Qong, Tuina,
Remedial massage, manipulative and sports therapy, muscle testing and analysis, health science and tcm theory and practice, he has run many courses and is well know and respected as a teacher and practitioner in Ireland
Anthony Montieth Email amonteith@gmail.com
International Board Members
North and South Asia: Sir Ahmed Bilal
Email scientificalternative@yahoo.ca
Europe:
Petros Stavridies
Email herbalaccu@gmail.com
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. John Ttikarou DC
I initially trained as a Children’s Nurse with a General Nurse qualification in Adelaide, Australia. I then completed my post graduate training in Melbourne, Australia as a Theatre Nurse and then specialized in Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Paediatric Cardiac & Lung Transplantation. I was part of the team that launched the first Paediatric ECMO Programme in Australia and we received referrals from Southern and Eastern States of Australia.
I moved to the UK to gain some Adult Cardiothoracic and Transplantation experience and to teach Paediatric Congenital Surgery with Sir Professor Madgi Yacoub at Harefield Hospital in Middlesex, London.
I then trained to become an Advance Nurse Practitioner specializing in Cardiothoracic & Transplantation Surgery. I continued to work as a Surgical Assistant in Adult & Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
During this time I also became involved with the “Chain of Hope” charity. I worked as a nurse co-ordinator within the Surgical Team which operated on children requiring “one off” corrective cardiac surgery abroad. I was extremely fortunate to work on various missions abroad to Jamaica, Egypt, Gaza, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, and Mozambique.
I also trained as a Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse and worked in General and Cardiothoracic in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). I eventually became a Senior Nurse Manager of a busy PICU within the NHS.
I decided to make a complete career change and trained to become a McTimoney Chiropractor. I graduated from the McTimoney Chiropractic College in Oxford and proceeded to do further Diplomas/Courses in Babies & Children Chiropractic Care, Pregnancy, Sports/Rehabilitation, Myofascial Release Techniques, Emmett Techniques, Visceral Adjusting and in Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture.
I currently use Acupuncture in conjunction with McTimoney Chiropractic Care to enhance the efficiency and recovery of my patients with Lower Back Pain, Sciatica, Arthritic Pain, general aches & stiffness and also to treat some Orthopaedic conditions.
I am an active member of the Royal College of Chiropractors, McTimoney Chiropractic Association and The Acupuncture Society.
I am registered with the General Chiropractic Council and The Acupuncture Society.
Email: john_ttikirou@hotmail.com
Dr. Mary Gao Dip. Ac TCM
Graduated from the Capital University of Medical Science in Beijing China, Bachler
degree, and as a doctor (Physician and Surgeon), I had more than 5 years working
experiences in the hospitals in Beijing China
Acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner, Yoga instructor, Maternity Nurse Medical Bachelor’s degree from the Capital University of Medicine Sciences in 1992 in Beijing Chinain Clinical Medicine human anatomy, biochemical, cell biology, base pathology, pathophysiology, pharmacology internal medicine, diagnostics, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture and was an intern in Tongren Hospital in Beijing for 2.5 years in internal medicine
surgical, the department of obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric, traditional Chinese
medicine department and acupuncture department
Director and the owner of private company of Dr. Mary MGM Ltd, a Chinese Medicine Wholesaler of Concentrated Granules from Tian Jiang Pharmaceutical Company in China, and has extensive experience in Chinese pharmaceuticals.
Email:marygao0702@gmail.com
Dragomir Lubomirov MSC Clinical Neuroscience, Dip. Ac TCM, FAcS, MPCHM
Vice Principal of the College of Chinese Medicine, Chair of the CCM Academic board
Dragomir is a fully trained and insured practitioner of Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and acupressure massage, which he has practiced successfully since 1997. He has a Masters Degree in Clinical Neuroscience. He is a Fellow of the Acupuncture Society, one of the main professional organisations representing TCM and acupuncture practitioners in the UK. The Acupuncture Society is an active member of the Acupuncture Stakeholder Working Group set by the DoH to map the future of the acupuncture profession in the UK.
Dragomir is the Vice-Principal of CCM London since 2003 and a senior lecturer at the College. Based on his sports, martial arts, massage and acupuncture experience, he developed and has been teaching the Advanced Acupressure Massage Course at the College since 2000 both in the UK and abroad. At the College he teaches the Auricular Acupuncture for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and stress management, Acupuncture Meridian stretch, TCM Orthopaedic diagnosis and Orthopaedic and TCM Musculoskeletal medicine Acupuncture courses.
His professional interests are:
– neural and anatomical correlates of the acupuncture meridian system
– multi-layered inter connectivity of the neuro-axis and especially the spinal inter-sentimental connectivity
– stimulation-based approaches to body regulation and healing
– traditional and modern technological methods of stimulation of acupuncture points
– exercise as treatment for musculoskeletal, mental/emotional and general health problems as well as health enhancement, learning and personal development
Email: dragomirl@btinternet.com
Vivienne Gribben Nurse Consultant RCN NMC Dip Ac TCM MAcS
I am a nurse of 33 years and have specialised in palliative care for 26 years. I
am currently employed as a community palliative care clinical nurse specialist
and am qualified as an independent nurse prescriber
For the past 4 years, I have been exploring my interest in acupuncture and
Chinese medicine. I have successfully completed my degree level diploma course
in acupuncture.
I have worked and specialised in my field in many UK Hospitals
My skills include
Ability to manage complex patients and their families including adapting care to
rapidly changing conditions.
Advanced symptom control management.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to work autonomously.
Adaptable to work within several teams.
Experienced facilitator and educator.
Experienced presenter to differing levels of seniority
Email: vivgribben@gmail.com
Educational Advisory Board
Professor Dr. Tuan Diep (Chair)
Professor Dr Tuan Anh Diep was born in Vietnam and from a young age his father taught him the family’s traditional TCM skills that include Martial Arts, Philosophy and Chinese Medicine. All throughout his early life he trained with and worked in his Fathers’ Chinese Medicine clinic. Years later, he furthered his skill in Acupuncture by learning from the famous Professor Anton Jayasuriya in Sri Lanka. After receiving his doctorate, he returned to Northampton to open his own Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture clinic. Prof Dr Tuan Anh Diep had many requests to learn his specialised skills and study with him and later established OICCT (The Open International College for Complementary Therapies) and has since trained many Acupuncture and TCM therapists and runs a busy clinical attachment clinic to further the practical development of students and graduates , Prof Dr Tuan Anh Diep is the head lecturer for the college where he teaches his over 100 years old family’s system of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. He has franchised many Complementary Therapies Centre’s around the UK. As a Master of Kung Fu, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Feng Shui, Prof Dr Tuan Anh Diep describes these as “Core Elements of Chinese Philosophy”, Currently, Professor Diep is Honorary Adjunct Professor of Clinical Chinese Medicine by to The University of America in California, USA.
Email: tuananh@diep.co.uk
Honorary Members:
Dean James CBE FRSA Barrister
Dean James has held senior executive roles in the public, private and charitable sectors. His career includes roles as CEO of a think tank, advocating a new national vision for health and social care, and, overseeing national programmes, including health related services for those with long-term conditions seeking to re-enter employment.
Dean is a trustee and Chair of two charities, one in mental health provision, the other in services for older people and wellbeing. He is a long-standing advocate of the role of complementary medicine. His principal interests lie in advancing sustainable solutions for integrated health and care, improving services to older people, promoting the mental health agenda, and making the case for policy change to embrace innovation across these sectors.
ETHICS AND STANDARDS AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
The current members of the Ethics and Standards and Disciplinary Committee are:
Paul Brecher Email: paul@taiji.net
Amanda Shayle Email: acuregen@gmail.com
Kirsten Dhar Email: kirstendhar@hotmail.com
Dragomir Lubomirov Email: dragomirl@btinternet.com
Paul Robin Chair Email: acusoc@yahoo.co.uk