British Acupuncture Federation Press Release

British Acupuncture Federation (BAF) Facilitator at St James Palace

British Acupuncture Federation (BAF) Facilitator Aaron Kenneth Ward-Atherton, Lord of Little Witley & Hurcott, was formally invited to a royal reception at St. James Palace in London last Thursday, hosted by HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York. Also present with the Lord of Little Witley & Hurcott were members of the Saudi Royal Family and many other high profile dignitaries.

His Lordship represents both the interests of the British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture (BAWMA) and the British Acupuncture Federation (BAF).  Sir Bill Connor who has previously worked with Government has been appointed Chair of the newly registered British Acupuncture Federation, which is the first UK overarching structure formed to set professional standards across the board for 6 major UK Traditional & Western Medical Acupuncture Organisations.  Included presently within the Federation are the Acupuncture Society, British Academy of Western Medical Acupuncture, Chinese Medical Institute and Register, Institute of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Acupuncture & Acutherapy Council, and the Society of Auricular Acupuncturists.

The formation of the British Acupuncture Federation addresses the House of Lords CAM report 2000 recommendations by embracing the concept of UK Acupuncturists from various disciplines, working together whilst retaining their own individual governance and autonomy. This process has also been approved by the governments Professional Standards Authority.

His Lordship said “His Royal Highness spent some time talking to me about his support for Complementary therapies within mainstream Healthcare, and was very interested to hear about the new British Acupuncture Federation and particularly its incentive of working together to fulfil the House of Lords recommendations.

Ken Ward-Atherton has practised both Western & Traditional Chinese Acupuncture himself for more than 30 years, was a selected DH funded committee member that produced the first Government report on Acupuncture & Herbal Medicines for the Minister of State for Health in 2008.  He had also worked extensively in the NHS prior to his career in Complementary Medicine, Ken added “it was quite a day as I found myself also sharing the train compartment on the way to London with the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg” – to meet a senior member of the Royal Family and a deputy Prime Minister in one day must be a record”