"Acupuncture appointments"

Initially treated every 3to 4 weeks. Then became 5 to 6 weeks, now every 10 weeks. No explanation given, . asked consultant why the change, initially told 'numerous reasons'. When pushed to state "numerous reasons", was one reason, not enough staff for amount of patients taken on. Also told by consultant "patients should manage own pain control but this isn't really applicable with accupuncture, as it should be administered by a trained professional". So basically told manage pain yourself apart from the fact you can't manage it by yourself in this instance! !

Don't take on more patients at a time than you can handle then. Or train another nurse. One nurse and one clinic a week obviously doesn't cut it! Patients are not getting the treatment they need. Four treatments a year is not as frequent as required, as any practitioner can tell you. By the time the next treatment is due, the last one has worn off.

If this was any other treatment, such as dialysis, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, physiotherapy, etc, reducing the treatment to a level where it does not benefit the patient would not be allowed. Pain can be debilitating and can make people suicidal. Those taking accupuncture are usually at the end of their tether. So they should be treated with the same considerations and to the same level as any other patient.