Core conditions for Polarity Practitioners:
UKPTA CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
This code applies to registered members of the United Kingdom Polarity Therapy Association (herein after referred to as “the Association”). Its purpose is to establish and maintain standards for the practise of Polarity Therapy and to inform and protect the public seeking Polarity treatment.
The registered members of the Association have the title Registered Polarity Practitioner (herein after referred to as “practitioners”) and are granted the right by the Association to append the letters RPP to their name and to all practicing Full Members of the Association.
These are the general principles that practitioners need to observe in order responsibly to fulfil their calling. To ignore these would imply a lack of regard for the needs of the client and the reputation of Polarity Therapy in general.
1.1 The practitioner’s vocation is to create balance and health in human beings or to assist people to maintain balance in themselves and create good health.
1.2 A practitioner should practise his/her profession with dignity and integrity.
1.3 The highest standards must be maintained in conduct, the care of the client, and professional expertise.
1.4 The practitioner owes loyalty to the client and should have regard for his/her wishes.
2. THE OBLIGATIONS
These are the restrictions and regulations which the Association must impose upon its members for legal and professional reasons.
The practitioner is required to:-
2.1 comply with the law of the state or territory where the practitioner practises.
2.2 agree and accept and abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and to supply the Association with a signed statement to witness this agreement at each renewal of membership. [Any alteration to this Code made by the Association Counsel shall be notified to all registered practitioners and is to be treated in a like manner.]
2.3 abide by, and observe the Constitution of the Association its bye-
2.4 advise the Secretary of the Association immediately in the event of any police or government (including local government) and Regulatory body’s inquiry into his/her practice.
2.5 secure and maintain full professional indemnity insurance in accordance with the Counsel of the Association’s directive/recommendation.
2.6 not use the title “Doctor” with reference to his/her Polarity practice unless on the Register of the General Medical Council (UK).
2.7 not refer to an assistant as “Nurse” unless he/she holds a nursing qualification recognised by the UKCC(UK)
2.8 The practitioner needs to ensure that treatment involving contact with the pubic and perineal areas has been explained to, and is fully understood by the client.
2.9 not make a physical examination of a child under 16 except in the presence of a parent or guardian.
2.10 avoid giving Polarity treatment known to or intended to terminate a pregnancy.
2.11 not advertise orally, nor in writing, claims for a cure of any named disease.
2.12 not disclose any information through his/her professional relationship with the client except under one or more of the following circumstances:-
2.12.1 where required to do so by rule of law.
2.12.2 in an emergency or other dangerous situation where in the opinion of the practitioner, the information may assist in the prevention of possibly injury to the client or to another person.
2.12.3 where the client has consented to the extent of the disclosure.
3. INSURANCE
Public liability insurance is purchased by the members, providing cover up to £2,000,000. Members must provide adequate proof of a similar insurance which meets the Association’s standards.
Practitioners should keep clear professional records to support any action taken in court on their behalf.
4. CONDUCT
Here is provided more specific information guidance upon duties and the implementation of general principles. It is important to understand the reasoning behind each of these requirements as well as the precise directive. There are various categories, but most concern in relation to clients or to fellow practitioners.
If a member of the Register regularly or wilfully flaunts the letter or the spirit of this Code, he/she will be liable to disciplinary procedure.
5. CLIENTS
5.1 The practitioner should make all reasonable effort to provide and continue treatment of clients who request it, unless some other arrangement has been made with the client’s consent, for the client’s care. It may be necessary for the client to terminate treatment where the practitioner deems further treatment to be unhelpful to the client.
5.2 Where an examination or treatment is beyond the capacity or skill of the practitioner, the client, with his/her consent, should be referred to another Polarity practitioner or appropriate health care practitioner.
5.3 A Polarity Therapy Practitioner should not exaggerate the gravity of a client’s condition, nor make any promises, nor give any guarantee of the results of treatment to the client or the client’s representative.
5.4 A practitioner shall keep full records of all treatment of clients, including the following details:-
5.4.1 Name, address, telephone number and date of birth.
5.4.2 Essential details of medical history.
5.4.3 Date of treatments.
5.4.4 Details of treatments.
5.5 On deciding to retire or to move from a practice, a practitioner must inform all current clients of his/her intention to do so and of any arrangements being made for the transfer of the practice to another practitioner. Records should be kept for a minimum of 5 years.
6. COLLEAGUES
6.1 A practitioner shall not undertake the treatment of a client known to be under the care of a fellow practitioner without the consent of that practitioner, except in an emergency or if satisfied that the former practitioner has been duly informed of the transfer.
6.2 Where acting as assistant or locum tenens, a Practitioner may not procure for the benefit of another practice any clients of the principal’s practice, neither for the duration nor within six months of the principal after the completion of either of these posts.
6.3 Only a Practitioner registered with the Association may act as an assistant or locum tenens to another Practitioner.
6.4 A Practitioner may not in public, nor to a client, disparage or speak disrespectfully of a fellow Practitioner.
6.5 Where a Practitioner has good reason to believe a fellow Practitioner has committed misconduct or has any complaint about him/her, a confidential report should be made to the Association and the Practitioner concerned will be informed by the Secretary.
7. POLARITY THERAPY PRACTITIONERS
7.1 In order to hold the space for the client, it is considered important that the Practitioner takes care of him/herself. This would include ensuring that the client load is not too great; also having regular supervision and personal therapy.
7.2 The Practitioner should only work with clients when the Practitioner is in good health; mentally, emotionally, and physically.
7.3 The Practitioner should not infringe the code of morality (as stated in the Constitution of the Association, item 10.1, Code of Ethics) including conduct towards other professionals and students.
8. GENERAL
8.1 Dress should be clean and appropriate for the professional practice of Polarity Therapy.
8.2 Premises should be of a reasonable standard, and should be kept, along with all equipment, in a hygienic condition.
8.3 Upon the death of a Practitioner, a personal representative must notify the Secretary of the Association as soon as possible.
8.4 Where a Practitioner has another profession or offers other skills or expertise, it is important that such should not be incompatible with the profession of a Practitioner nor detract from status nor attract business unfairly. Any other methods or techniques should be only exercised with proper competence and skill, the Practitioner having obtained suitable qualifications where these are available and observing the codes of practice as laid down by the appropriate regulatory bodies.
8.5 The Association Counsel may make enquiry about other activities, professions or appointments, and, after hearing fully the representations of the practitioner concerned, may make a final and binding decision, either permitting or prohibiting the practitioner advertising or holding himself/herself out as carrying on such profession, appointment, skills or expertise.
8.6 Practitioners shall report research findings and clinical experiences methodically, honestly and without distortion. Speculative theories should be stated to be so.
8.7 Practitioners should conduct themselves in a manner befitting their profession with respect to the equality of all people. Attitudes of sexual, racial and class equality and respect shall be adopted throughout all interactions with clients and colleagues.
9. ADVERTISING
9.1 Practitioners should take care that their advertising reflects their professional approach in taste and quality.
9.2 If descriptive writing about a Practitioner's activities is presented to the public, the portion describing Polarity Therapy must be distinctly written about so that confusion will not rise in the mind of someone unfamiliar with Polarity Therapy.
9.3 No claims should be made about results of Polarity Therapy treatment. This does not mean the Practitioner cannot suggest that Polarity Therapy may help a particular problem along with the general improvement of the patient's energy flow.
9.4 All articles and advertising must be approved by the Publicity Officer
9.5 Great care should be taken when giving an interview about Polarity Therapy. It is important that the Practitioner has enough expertise before considering handling spontaneous interviews. When in doubt, talk it through with an Elder or Counsel Member.
9.6 Each article or description of Polarity Therapy shall include, but not be exclusive to, the following:
9.6.1 Dr Randolph Stone's name as founder/developer of Polarity Therapy
9.6.2 The roots of Polarity Therapy (the background of the concepts it draws from).
9.6.3 A definition of Polarity as a branch of holistic health care and a statement about the link between energy and health and disease, including a description of "energy" from as Polarity point of view.
9.6.4 The four categories of techniques used in Polarity Therapy.
9.6.5 A reference to the Association, including the address, telephone number and web address.
9.7 A Practitioner must not do or permit anything which is likely or intended to, attract business unprofessionally, or that can in any way be regarded as touting or canvassing.
9.8 Stationary and name plates should contain the minimum information needed to be descriptive and should be consistent with Association templates.
9.9 Name plates on buildings, in windows or otherwise displayed should be modest in size, sufficient for identification of the premises only.
9.10 Professional notices may be placed in newspapers on the commencement or termination of a practice or on the change of address or telephone number. A notice may be published eight times but not more than three months after the commencement, termination or change.
9.11 Such notices shall be modest of size, containing information necessary and should be consistent with Association templates, and placed in the classified advertisement section where possible.
9.12 Other advertisements should be consistent with Association templates.
9.13 A standard classified entry may be published in telephone directories, containing name, profession, qualifications, practice title and address only.
9.14 Only professional certificates and diplomas originating from bona fide organisations and degrees conferred by recognised universities may be displayed in the practice premises.
9.15 Practitioners shall not use their membership qualifications in the commercialisation of any product or remedy.
9.16 Departing from the restrictions upon publicity is permissible with a ruling from the Counsel of the Association where the objective of the publicity is apparent and justifiable, being in the interest of the profession as a whole.
10. ADJUDICATION
10.1 The Counsel of the Association, together with an outside neutral professional person sitting as a professional purposes sub-
10.2 Its decision shall be final and binding.
10.3 Each case shall be considered separately and on its merits. A Practitioner may appear and/or be represented and may call evidence on his/her behalf.
10.4 Breach of the UKPTA Code of Ethics may constitute unprofessional conduct under the Rules and Objectives of the Association. Without limiting the meaning of the expression, unprofessional and dishonourable practices, a Practitioner shall be guilty of dishonourable conduct who:-
10.4.1 is convicted of an offence for behaviour unbecoming a Practitioner.
10.4.2 is found to be addicted to intoxicating liquor and deleterious drugs.
10.4.3 in his/her professional capacity signs, gives or makes false or misleading representation, reports or certificates for any purposes whatsoever.
10.4.4 in his/her capacity as a Practitioner he/she neglects to do something which a reasonable Practitioner would do, or does something which a reasonable practitioner would not do, or shows in any other way the absence of such reasonable skill and attention as shall have endangered the health of a client or prolonged a client’s illness or period of convalescence.
10.5 If found to be in breach of this Code, a Practitioner may be warned against a further breach. In the event of more serious malpractice, or having had warnings at more than two separate adjudications, the Practitioner may be struck off the Register. Fines may also be levied in appropriate cases.