Legislation & Ethics
Outline of Syllabus Contents
1. Confidentiality - confidentiality and the law, Data-protection act, situations in
which patient information may be disclosed, sources of legal help and advice;
confidentiality within the practice, other staff, making and storing case notes,
patient access to their own notes
2. Referrals - to orthodox practitioners, to others within same discipline and to
those in other disciplines, patient care when the practitioner is absent.
6. Relationships between practitioners: communication, courtesy, professional and
ethical conduct; disputes and complaints procedure; transfer and referral of
patients, case histories and patient notes.
7. Continuing professional development; boundaries of the therapeutic space;
safeguarding the legitimate needs of the practitioner.
8. Professional misconduct: complaints, disciplinary procedure, advice and
guidance, insurance.
9. Prescribed conduct regarding: abortion, venereal disease, notifiable diseases,
consent and supervision of minors and people with learning difficulties,
procedures for the intimate examination of a patient of the opposite sex,
notification of adverse events.
Recommended Reading
S12(1) of the Medicines Act 1968 and proposed review MHRA documents.
The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1996
Massage & Special Treatment Licensing Acts & Regulations
Legislation and Ethics
Aims
a. To ensure a thorough knowledge of the ethical, legal and professional
foundations of good practice
b. To ensure the therapist has knowledge of the legal requirements and
code of ethics affecting the following aspects of practice:
- confidentiality
- disclosure
- insurance
- data protection
- treatment of minors
- treatment of those with special needs or disabilities
- medical ethics
- rights of patient and rights of therapist to refuse treatment
- moral and ethical conduct
- licensing
- the role of regulation and registration for the therapist
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the component students will be able to:
i.Describe the legal framework within which an aromatherapist practises and
is allowed to treat and dispense aromatherapy products for individual
clients
ii.Understand, and apply, the fundamental principles of medical ethics.
Discuss moral, ethical and legal obligations with patients and the public in
general, their profession and fellow practitioners, other health-care
professionals, and staff they employ.
iii.Practise in accordance with the relevant code of ethics and conduct and
understand the need for being insured and updating skills in order to
protect the safety of their clients.
iv.Demonstrate a clear understanding of their limits of competence and when
and how to make referrals.
v.Identify and access sources of advice, guidance and continuing
professional development (CPD) which will enable them to grow and
develop as professional aromatherapists.
vi.Understand the importance of being AC Registered aromatherapists as part
of the voluntary self-regulation of the profession.
