Advice on approaching GPs, please

[wichichila]

Hi,

I've recently qualified in Reflexology and Indian Head Massage and am now on the NHS Register of CAM Practitioners. I thought this would be a good way of getting NHS referrals, but although I have received my certificate, there is no advice as to what to do next.

I would like to approach several local surgeries and hospitals to request referrals and maybe do session work in their practices.

But every time I come to write the letter, my mind goes blank!!

If anyone has had any success working in or with a close relationship with their local GPs, could you give me some advice on what I should put in this letter.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[TrudiAlgowly]

Hi Claire

Welcome to the forum, I wish you look in that endeavour as it is optional for the Drs to point someone in your direction but I do not think they refer people as most of them still think of complimentary therapists as not being effective

You could approach your local GPs and offer them a free introductory treatment so they know who you are and what you do but from what I have heard about the NHS register is a bit of a flop for most therapists, but you will not know unless you try

 

[Randy F]

Claire

I would like to wish you huge success in your chosen career, and I will gladly help as much as I can. I am a full time NHS GP. and also working in a project to get a Natural Health Centre set up and integrated into the NHS in my area, as well as being in the Doctor-Healer Network, whose objective is promoting Healing in Medicine.

So, a few tips to help you get noticed by your local GP's. You need to realise that we are constantly bombarded with post from all quarters, and there is a need for repeated mailings to get our attention - so much gets filed in the bin after about one nanosecond

Produce a leaflet and make it eye-catching. Explain the benefits of your therapies and where they come into their own - eg stress management. avoid using any woolly or weird terms, but use 'medical speak' as much as you can; get info from your professional organisation about research evidence you can quote.

When writing your letter of introduction, give a quick history of who you are and why you became a therapist, and your training. Suggest you try to get across that you are wanting to work in partnership to help patients, rather than touting for referrals to build your business approach. Enclose a supply of either leaflets or cards for the doctor to hand to his patient when making recommendation; also a generic leaflet from your org about the therapy itself.

Communication is important, and professionals always write to each other about shared patients - as you are e-mail wise, why not offer to send a report after treatment(s) completed by e-mail, describing how it went and making any recommendations (I have confirmed hypothyroidism several times after referral back from a reflexologist)

Your suggestion of a free treatment is good, and a few more of my colleagues will be willing to take their socks off for you these days [&:] - however, another successful ploy would be to offer to come to the surgery to give a short presentation and demonstration.....and then ask one of the practice nurses to be your guinea pig. Get them on board and you will have powerful allies!

I am sure there's more, and do get back to me with any questions. One final point - and this a personal hobbyhorse of mine - PLEASE spell complementary correctly! With apologies to Paul, but if I get any leaflets with the spelling 'complimentary' I tend to bin them quick as likely to be from unprofessional types. probably unfair, but true all the same.

with love & light - Doq xxx

 

[CasualFan blocks idiots]

That's ok Doc

When I started school I went through that experiment where they taught us to spell as we spoke, unfortunately when the tried to reverse it I had got locked into the other way so I cannot spell in the UK but I would probably get by in the US.

I avoided writing for years until we go computers, but they are not infallible so I make mistakes and get someone to proof read anything important, it is a good job my treatments do not rely on it isn't it ;-)

 

[tornado]

Hi Claire,

How did you get on the NHS list? I heard they were very particular about quals etc but I'd be interested in knowing more.

Hugs and blessings.

Elizabeth

 

[Tofu]

Dear Doq,

Thank you so much for your advice.

It is so helpful to hear from someone actually in the profession. I particularly think that a presentation would be a good idea, and that constant two way communication is the key to building up rapport with the GPs.

You have definitely given me a lot to think about and I feel much more confident about preparing my approach now.

Thanks once again.

 

[sbinlb]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your advice on offering a free treatment. I think that's a great idea.

I hope that the NHS Register will work out, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Lea~ is a "Mean Girl"~]

Hi Elizabeth,

I sent an email to admin@nhsdirectory.org requesting that info be sent to me telling me how to register.

A couple of weeks later I got an application form through to register. They only accept memberships of certain bodies, but as I qualified in Reflexology with the IIR, that was OK.

It took a while for the application to be accepted but I now have a certificate which I can display in my treatment room and my details are available to the public and to NHS professionals on the internet.

I can't vouch for whether it will create any business yet but my fingers are crossed!

I hope this helps,

 

[LovePeaceForever]

Claire

I'm glad comments were helpful. Personal contacts with your local referrers will be more productive at the present time, as most GP's are not IT savvy and won't have heard of the NHS register. You are more likely to get cross-referrals from other therapists.

xxx Doq

 

[carmineqqe]

I am currently waiting for my application pack for the NHS directory but am a little sceptical because I too have heard varying reports on results.

I have noticed that a couple of therapists down my way state that they are "a registered NHS provider on referral by a medical consultant"...can anyone tell me if this statement just means they are on the NHS directory or is it another type of registration that is available to therapists?

Any info gratefully received

Lin