POSH entirely supports the aims and objectives of the Foundation as we have always wished to integrate all forms of global medicine as the Foundation seeks to do.

To read the FIH's 5 year strategy for health click here. This document is in PDF (2.1MB) so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view click here to download a free version.

Aims

The Foundation aims to facilitate the development of safe, effective and efficient forms of healthcare to patients and their families by supporting the development and delivery of integrated healthcare. This means encouraging conventional and complementary practitioners to work together to integrate their approaches. The Foundation acts as a forum to promote and support discussion and as a centre for driving forward the integrated healthcare agenda.

Principles

Six key principles underpin the Foundation's work:

• Promoting an holistic and integrated approach to healthcare which engages with all aspects of a patient's being including mind, body and spirit and which takes into consideration environmental, psychosocial and nutritional aspects of health.
• Emphasising the key importance of individuals taking more responsibility for their own healthcare, which requires teamwork amongst patients and healthcare practitioners.
• Acknowledging the intrinsic healing capacity of every person and awareness that different approaches and interventions may need to be employed together to restore health and wellbeing.
• Establishing an evidence base for integrated healthcare, using a range of research and evaluation methods to identify safe and beneficial services.
• Accepting that every person should have access to the treatment approach of their choice, safe in the knowledge that it is effective and well regulated.
• Accepting that the public has a right to expect healthcare services to be provided by appropriately educated, safe, competent and regulated practitioners.

Objectives

To achieve its aim of having complementary healthcare available for all who need it integrated with conventional healthcare , the Foundation has an extensive programme of work delivery, information, education, regulation and research and development.

Choice and Access

Through the Foundation's programmes of work in delivery and information, we aim to:

• promote the development of a range of integrated models of provision which offer choice, including access to complementary healthcare when appropriate.
• encourage and facilitate the distribution of clear and reliable information on integrated healthcare to patients, practitioners and the public.

Standards

Through the Foundation's programmes of work in education and regulation, we aim to:

• promote the development of a common basis for healthcare education and training across all healthcare professions together with programmes of continuing professional development for all practitioners.
• encourage the establishment, maintenance and development of systems of regulation, including audit, for complementary healthcare, either on a statutory or voluntary basis.

Evidence

Through the Foundation's programme of work in research and development, we aim to:

• encourage the development of high quality and appropriate research into the safety, effectiveness, patient satisfaction and efficacy of all forms of healthcare, particularly those regarded as complementary.