NEXT week, 20 to 26 May, is Natural Medicine Week, and the Central Highland Complementary Medicine Network is hosting a collaborative community event to celebrate.<\/p>\n
Between 9am and 12pm on Monday, 20 May, qualified registered naturopaths, nutritionists, mental health practitioners and an exercise physiologist will be at the Ballarat Business Centre.<\/p>\n
Amongst other therapists, they\u2019ll be available to meet locals in a safe and open environment, answering questions, concerns and scepticism about natural medicine over a cuppa.<\/p>\n
Special guests include Journalist and Naturopath, Julie O\u2019Connell Seamer and General Practitioner, Dr Rod Hanton.<\/p>\n
Organiser and Naturopath, Jacqui Fernandez has a background in Health Science. She said collaboration between bio-medical and natural medicine practitioners is important to deliver the best healthcare model.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not us versus them, it\u2019s what we can do together,\u201d she said. \u201cI think a lot of people think we\u2019re still hippies in orange robes and bare feet chanting. We\u2019ve moved far from that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take traditional philosophies and principles of treating the whole person, identifying the cause and use traditional knowledge along with more evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes. Health is a way of living, and that\u2019s what we want to showcase.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Fernandez believes the government should regulate and register Naturopaths for public safety and best practice. The event is also an opportunity to discuss this issue.<\/p>\n
The event is near-on sold out and a gold coin donation will be requested upon arrival, with all proceeds going to Creswick-based palliative care charity, Shannon\u2019s Bridge.<\/p>\n
The Federal government was recently under fire for cutting private health insurance rebates to natural therapies. Following public protest, Health Minister, Greg Hunt has said the changes will be reviewed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEXT week, 20 to 26 May, is Natural Medicine Week, and the Central Highland Complementary Medicine Network is hosting a collaborative community event to celebrate. Between 9am and 12pm on Monday, 20 May, qualified registered naturopaths, nutritionists, mental health practitioners and an exercise physiologist will be at the Ballarat Business Centre. Amongst other therapists, they\u2019ll […]<\/p>\n