The Healers International Network

a)      The Name of the Association shall be The Healers International Network hereinafter referred to as

        “ T.H.I.N.” or the Association.

b)      The Association shall be non-party and non-denominational and shall welcome all nationalities. T.H.I.N. operates an Equal Opportunity & Health & Safety policy.

Definition of Spiritual Healing

·        Spiritual Healing is the transfer of a universal energy via the Healer by the laying-on or off of hands or by attunement through meditation and prayer.

Aims and Objectives

·        The main objective of T.H.I.N. is to establish a Network of Professional Healers around the World to promote Healing.

·        To establish a World Wide referral service via telephone and Internet web site.

·        To establish good working relationships with other Associations that share compatible objectives and with the medical profession.

Board Members

·        The Officers of the Board shall be: The President, The Vice President, General Secretary & are as follows:

1. This code of conduct applies to the practice of Spiritual Healing  & Therapies in general. 

1. Members also agree to abide by decisions made under the Disciplinary Procedures of T.H.I.N.

2. Membership of T.H.I.N. is conditional upon acceptance to the terms of this Code of Conduct and the payment of the registration fee.

3. Healers in breach of the are liable to expulsion.

4. Intention to use any other therapy by the healer must only be used with the patient’s prior consent and made clear that the therapy in question is not wholly Healing.

5. Healers must ensure that they themselves are medically, physically and psychologically fit to practice.

6. All Healers shall ensure that their working conditions are suitable for the practice of their therapy.

7. Healers must act with consideration and sensitivity towards a patient concerning fees or donations.

8. Prior to treatment, healers must give a full verbal explanation of all the procedures involved in the treatment.

9. Healers should not be judgmental and they must recognise the patient’s right to refuse treatment or ignore advice.  It must remain the patient’s prerogative to make their own choice with regard to their health, finances & lifestyle.

10. Healers must display evidence of current T.H.I.N. membership in their primary place of practice.

11. Healers must not behave in a manner that could bring T.H.I.N. or the healing movement into disrepute.

12. Healers must not ask for the removal of any clothing except overcoat and footwear.

13. Healers must never offer a clairvoyant reading during a healing session.

14. Healers sometimes say and do certain things while giving treatment because they are “impressed” to do so.  Reason and common sense should always be applied to such impressions.

15. Practitioners must have respect for the religious, spiritual, political and social view of any individual, irrespective of race, colour, creed or gender.

16. To avoid offending patients, healers must not raise the question of their religious beliefs unless the patient invites this.

17. Discretion must be used for the protection of the healer when carrying out private treatment with patients who appear to be mentally unstable, addicted to drugs or alcohol or severely depressed, suicidal or hallucinating.  Such patients must only be treated by a healer with relevant experience, accompanied by another healer.

18. A healer must not treat a patient in any case, which exceeds their capability, training and competence.  Where appropriate, the healer must seek referral to a suitably qualified practitioner.

19. It is the responsibility of the Healer to ensure that you have the necessary Insurance cover to practice your therapy & not the responsibility of the Association.

Relationship with the Medical Profession

2. Healers must recognise that a patient’s G.P. remains clinically accountable for the patient.

1. New patients must be asked what medical advice they have received and if they have not seen a doctor, they must be advised to do so, and this be recorded for the healer’s protection.

2. The healer must not countermand instructions or prescriptions given by a doctor.  No medical diagnosis should be given by the healer under any circumstances, or advice given on a particular course of medical treatment to take specific drugs as this is wholly out of the healer’s jurisdiction.

3. If, however, a healer subsequently finds some aspect of a disorder undiagnosed by the doctor, the patient must be advised to visit the doctor.  A note of this must be placed in the patient’s record.

4. Healers should at all times conduct themselves in a honourable and courteous manner in their regard to their patient and the public.

5. It is essential that healers make it quite clear that they are not doctors and do not purport to have the knowledge and skill of doctors.

6. If a healer becomes aware that a patient may be suffering from a notifiable or infectious disease, the healer must explain the need for medical attention and advise the patient to go to the doctor and not have contact with other people.

Making a Hospital Visit

3. The hospital is responsible for the patient.  Healers may only treat patients in hospital with permission from the patient or their representative. Upon entering the hospital, they must first seek permission from the ward sister or equivalent to enter their department.

1. Healers must not wear white coats or any other form of clothing which could give the impression that they are hospital staff, they must carry their T.H.I.N. Healer identification at all times.

2. Having gained permission to enter the ward, healers should carry out the healing with a minimum of fuss or disruption to other patients and ward staff.

3. Healers must never undermine the patient’s faith in medical treatment/regime.

4. If requested to give healing to another patient whilst on the ward, permission should first be sought from the ward sister or equivalent.

Patient Awareness

4. When treating a young patient written consent must first be given from a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must be present when treating a child under the age of 16 years and although not a prerequisite, it is a good idea also to have a third party present when treating a member of the opposite sex.

1. Healers must never diagnose nor must they offer advice following diagnosis by a doctor.

2. No healing should be given to women in childbirth, or within ten days thereafter. Distance Healing is recommended during this period.  We believe that as Healing can in no way harm the mother or child, it can be given through the laying-on of hands during pregnancy, until the woman goes into labour.

3. No massage/manipulation should be employed during the healing practice – even if the healer possesses the appropriate professional qualifications.

4. No other forms of therapy (such as essential oils, herbs etc.) may be prescribed unless the healer is appropriately qualified – but not as part of the healing treatment given.

5. Healers must not practice dentistry during healing (even if appropriately qualified).

6. No guarantee of a cure should ever be given.

Working with Animals

5. Healers must at all times when working with animals, ensure their own safety and then the safety of the animal. Find out if the animal bites: an animal will use its instinct with you, approach with caution. Do not take risks.

1. The veterinary surgeon remains in charge of the case and the healer shall not countermand any instructions or medicines given by the veterinary surgeon.  Similarly the healer shall neither suggest a medical diagnosis nor advise any course of veterinary treatment.

2. In the event that the animal has not been seen by a veterinary surgeon, before healing is given, the owner must be advised to seek veterinary attention. By informing the owner of this you have met your responsibility.

3. For healing to be given in the knowledge that veterinary advice has not been sought is contrary to the provisions of this Code and is capable of leading to prosecution under the Veterinary Surgeons Act. (The Protection of Animals Act 1911 also imposes an obligation on anyone aware that an animal is clearly in need of veterinary treatment to advise the owner of this).

4. The administration of first aid in an emergency for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain is permissible    (Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Schedule 3)

5. Healers must ensure they keep clear comprehensive records of their treatments of animals to include: dates, times, and advice given to animal owners. This should also have the animal owner’s name, address and contact number.

Healing and The Law

6. Healers must understand and observe the law as it relates to healing practice. Disregard of the law may result in serious legal difficulties for the healer.  The BMA say that, providing cuts and sores are covered, the risk from hands on healing is minimal.  The Department of Health says that in this situation the risk is nil.

1. Selling remedies, herbs etc  (Code Item 43) – The reason that members should not sell these items unless qualified to do so is due to the obscure and complex nature of the Medicines Act 1968 whereby anyone selling “medicinal products” which include items such as Bach Remedies, Vitamins etc. need a licence to do so unless sold in unopened containers and that the supplier of such containers holds a “Product Licence” to do so.

2. Healers should, therefore, be very careful indeed that such licences are in operation hence the term “qualified to do so” in the Code.

3. It should be noted by all healers that it is illegal to give healing to a young person under the age of 18 years without first obtaining the permission of the parent or guardian of the young person.

4. Young people of 16 years but below 18 years may request qualified medical attention for themselves but healing is not recognised as qualified medical treatment. The permission of the parent or guardian must be obtained before healing is given.

5. Under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988: Acute Encephalitis, Acute Poliomyelitis, Anthrax, Diphtheria, Dysentery (Amoebic or Bacillary), Leprosy, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Measles, Meningitis, Meningocoggal Septicaemia (without Meningitis), Mumps, Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Paratyphoid Fever, Rabies, Rubella, Scarlet Fever, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Typhoid Fever, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever, Viral Hepatitis, Whooping Cough, Yellow Fever.

6. Under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984: Notifiable Diseases are Cholera, Plague, Relapsing Fever, Smallpox, Typhus, Food Poisoning.

7. The law is enshrined in a series of Acts and Statutes principally associated with the medical and paramedical professions.

8. When working abroad, please seek advice and customs from the necessary authorities in the country in which you are working.

9. Caution: It is against the law to practice healing in some countries.  Whenever possible we will offer help to understand the laws of the land.

Administration

7. Healers must comply with the Data Protection Act.

1. The access to Health Records Act 1990 gives certain rights of access to health records, and the Provisions of the Act may include the records of healers in some circumstances but not others.  Therefore, healers must be careful what they write, since patients may request to see them.

2. Healers must not use titles or descriptions that give the impression that they are medically qualified (unless they possess them) and must make it clear to their patients that they are not doctors – nor do they have their knowledge or skills.

3. Healers must ensure they keep clear comprehensive records of their treatments to include dates, times, and advice given. This should also have the patient name, address and contact number.

4. Healers must treat as confidential, all information of a personal nature that is given by the patient.

5. When treating a child (under 16 years) when it is known that a parent or guardian is not seeing that medical attention is given, healers should advise parents/guardians to do so.

6. No disclosure may be made to any third party, including any member of the patient’s own family, without their consent unless it is required by due process of the law, whether that be by statute, statuary instrument, order of any court or competent jurisdiction or however otherwise.

Advertising

8. Any advertising arranged by healers should be dignified in tone, not contain testimonials, claim a cure nor mention specific diseases.

1. The Healers International Network initials must never be used after a healer/teachers name i.e. A. Smith T.H.I.N. as this implies that the member has some kind of qualification.  Full Members may state in their advertising that they are a member of The Healers International Network or T.H.I.N.

2. The T.H.I.N. logo may only be used to advertise events that are being officially organised on behalf of the Association. It is not permitted for anyone to add the T.H.I.N. logo to any advertising material that may give a false impression to the public that the event was officially recognised by the Association or was in fact sponsored and approved by them. However T.H.I.N. approved registered Trainers who supply their own Personal Training Certificate  may include one THIN Logo & the words :- “T.H.I.N. Approved Registered Trainer” on their Training Certificate.

    

Rules

9. The need for Rules.

1. Rules are necessary for promoting fairness and order in the treatment of individuals.

2. The Association is responsible for maintaining discipline and each member needs to know what standards of conduct are expected of them.

10. The purpose of Rules.

1. The purpose of disciplinary rules is to give clear indication to every member of the standards of conduct required by them.
2. The rules are the means of setting the standards and do so by indicating clearly the kinds and instances of conduct that are regarded as unsatisfactory and which will not be tolerated.

3. Rules cannot cover all circumstances and will vary in application according to situations.

4. It is the policy of the Association to carry out a thorough investigation of all cases where any disciplinary action may result.  Consequently every case will be considered on an individual merit, but will also have full regard for the principle of consistent and uniform treatment of every member.  Due consideration will be given to any mitigating circumstances attendant in each case.

5. The Association regards the undermentioned as examples constituting misconduct. Any member who commits any of the offences listed will be regarded as having fundamentally breached this and Practice:

1.      Theft or unauthorised possession of the Association’s property.

2.      Falsification of any document (for example, application form for membership, reference form) which undermines the relationship between the member and the Board

3.      Falsification of a patient record card.

4.      Unacceptable behaviour towards patient, colleagues and members of the professions such as fighting; assault; physical provocation or threat; verbal abuse or insolence; insubordination including wilful refusal or failure to carry out a reasonable instruction.

5.      Behaviour or attitude that undermines the Associations authority.

6.      Incapacity to provide a service to patient due to drink, or drugs which have been self-inflicted and not prescribed by a person qualified to do so.

7.      Obscene or indecent behaviour during the course of  healing practice.

8.      Conviction or a criminal offence committed as a result of healing practice, or outside of this, which renders the member unsuitable to continue as a Healer Member of the Association.

Disciplinary Procedure

11.  It is the policy of T.H.I.N. to attach the greatest importance to the principle of fair and consistent treatment to all its members, and to ensure that fair and effective arrangements exist for dealing with any Disciplinary matters and to ensure that consistent standards are adhered to at all times.

1. The Association recognises the need for the highest and strictest standard of conduct from all its members.

2. In the interest of all Members of the Association, Disciplinary Rules and a Code of Ethics are needed in order to set out a reasonable standard of conduct to the satisfaction of all concerned.

3. This policy is based on the following principles:

1.      To require the member to give a written undertaking to refrain from continuing or repeating the conduct that constitutes the contravention.

2.      Issue a severe reprimand in the form of a written warning. Such a warning shall be in force for a period of 12 months.

3.      Place the member on a Probationary Period; any further complaint of a similar nature will result in a more severe action being taken.

4.      Remove the member from membership of the Association due to the breach of discipline and the seriousness of the complaint.

5.      To suspend the member for such period as the Board may determine.

6.      To expel the member from the Association. The decision of the Board shall be final and in writing.

Subscriptions

13. The first annual subscription shall fall due and be paid when application is made for Membership.

1. Subsequent annual subscriptions shall fall due 12 months from the date on your membership certificate  (e.g. date on Certificate May 2008 renewal due by 31^st May 2009).

2. U.K. Members Subscriptions are to be paid by Cheque, Postal Order .

3. Overseas Members Subscriptions must be paid by Stirling International Bankers Draft.

4. Subscriptions will be reviewed annually and members will be notified a month before their subscriptions fall due.

5. Members failing to renew subscriptions within 1 Month after the renewal date will automatically have their membership terminated.

6. If a membership is terminated and work has to be done by T.H.I.N. for that Healer, they will be charged at the going rate for the time and good will.

7. Duplicate copies of certificates are available from T.H.I.N. at a charge.

8. All Cheques & Postal Orders are to be made payable to: T.H.I.N.

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