Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery. 2002 Feb; 8(1): 17-20.

Establishment of a nurse-run acupuncture treatment for hayfever. By Mary Anne Cochrane [corrected].

Cochrane MA.

This interview describes how the need to set up an acupuncture clinic for the treatment of hayfever, was identified in a large teaching practice in south-east London. It then details the preliminary consultations for establishing the service, while taking into consideration the UKCC (1992a,b, 2000) guidelines, especially in relation to nurses' accountability and recognition of boundaries. It examines the issues of training and consultation time, as well as costs to the practice, and evaluates the benefits and costs of treatment to the patient. It also identifies some of the potential problems that may be encountered in providing acupuncture.The summary includes some guidance to others considering implementation of a similar service.