ALICE BARKER NUTRITION

Terms of Engagement for Naturopathic Practitioners

A. General Information and Professional Scope

Nutritional Therapy

Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy is a complementary approach that supports health and wellbeing through personalised, holistic care. Practitioners use a range of tools to explore lifestyle, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and health history in order to identify patterns or imbalances that may be contributing to a client’s concerns. The approach is personalised, as practitioners consider each individual to be unique, recommending bespoke [nutrition, herbal, homeopathic and lifestyle] programmes rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Recommendations are tailored to the individual and may include lifestyle guidance, nutritional or herbal support, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, coaching strategies, or other complementary approaches appropriate to the practitioner’s training and scope.

Naturopathy is recognised as a complementary medicine. Consultations with a Nutritional Therapist include taking a detailed case history, creating a recommended treatment plan which may include dietary advice, supplements, testing, and lifestyle advice, and following up on results and progression. 

B. Limitations, Risks, and Referrals

1. Non-Medical Practice: Nutritional Therapy is practiced by non-medical professionals and is complementary to other regulated forms of healthcare in England.

2. Diagnosis and Treatment: Nutritional Therapy practitioners do not diagnose medical conditions or claim to treat disease. Any support provided is complementary in nature and focused on wellbeing, lifestyle, and self-care.

3. Medical Advice: Nutritional advice and recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment. Nutritional Therapy practitioners do not recommend their services as a replacement for medical advice.

4. Referrals: Nutritional Therapy practitioners will always refer any client with serious signs or symptoms that fall out of the scope of safe complementary practice (‘red flags’) to their medical professional. Alice Barker Nutrition reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended.

5. Efficacy and Risk: No claim is made as to the efficacy of any Nutritional Therapy protocol. The degree of benefit obtainable may vary between clients with similar health problems. While the best course of action is continually sought, there always exists the possibility of side effects, adverse reactions, or inefficacy of treatment.

6. Safety: Alice Barker Nutrition holds your safety and well-being as their top priority in the management of your case.

C. Practitioner Responsibilities

1. Intervention: Alice Barker Nutrition will strive to deliver the safest and most effective interventions for your case.
2. Collaboration: Nutritional Therapy practitioners frequently work alongside medical professionals and will communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in the client’s care to explain any programme that has been provided.

3. Scope: Alice Barker Nutrition reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended. Alice Barker Nutrition will make it clear if he or she intends to step outside the boundary of the consultation covered by this document. 

4. Governance: Standards of professional practice in Naturopathy are governed by the General Naturopathic Council (GNC).

5. Commission Disclosure: Alice Barker Nutrition may recommend food supplements and/or functional testing as part of your programme and may receive a commission on these products or services. If the practitioner recommends supplements/tests and charges for them, there may be a mark-up on wholesale prices to cover the cost of supply and interpretation.

6. Insurance Statement: Alice Barker Nutrition is insured for professional liability and malpractice under policy number ZUR-ANP/26/10/40 with Balens Ltd.

7. Record Retention Period: Client records are retained securely for 7 years following the last consultation, in line with GNC and GDPR requirements.

8. Complaints Procedure: If you wish to make a complaint, please contact Alice Barker Nutrition. If unresolved, you may contact my professional association, The Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP) or regulating body the General Naturopathic Council (GNC) for further guidance.

D. Client Responsibilities (The Client understands and agrees)

1. Medical Disclosure: I will inform Alice Barker Nutrition of all medical conditions I have been diagnosed with, symptoms I am experiencing, and medications I am taking/have taken in the past. I must inform them of any new medical conditions or symptoms or medications should they arise. Providing full details of diagnosed medical conditions and medications is crucial, as this may affect the nutritional programme.

2. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: I will inform Alice Barker Nutrition immediately if I am pregnant or breastfeeding, or if I plan to become pregnant or begin breastfeeding.

3. Communication with Medical Professionals: I am responsible for contacting my GP about any health concerns. I should tell my GP, or any other medical provider, about any Nutritional Therapy advice provided by my practitioner, as this is necessary because of any possible reaction between medication and the Nutritional Therapy advice. I am directed to promptly consult my doctor or equivalent medical professional if I have not previously done so regarding my condition.

4. Prescribed Treatments: I am not to alter or discontinue treatments prescribed by a licensed health professional without consulting the individual who prescribed the treatment.

5. Understanding and Compliance:

5. I will inform Alice Barker Nutrition if I do not understand any given part of the recommendations or if I am uncomfortable with any aspect of my care. The suitability of the advice depends on the accuracy of how I answer questions during the consultation and complete the questionnaire. Responsibility cannot be accepted if important information is withheld or in cases of non-compliance.
6. I understand that the recommendations are personal to you and may not be appropriate for others.
7. Recommendations for Nutritional Therapy e.g. changes in diet, including the use of nutritional supplements are entirely my responsibility. I must contact my practitioner should I wish to continue any specified Nutritional Therapy programme for longer than the original agreed period, to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

6. Product Purchase: I am free to purchase any products recommended for my treatment from a vendor of my choosing, being under no obligation to purchase products from Alice Barker Nutrition directly.

E. Fees, Payment, and Cancellation Policy

1. Fee Schedule: I have read and understand Alice Barker Nutrition’s fee and pricing schedule, as detailed on the website. 

2. Additional Costs:  Recommended supplements or Functional Tests are charged in addition to consultation fees and must be paid for at the time of purchase/booking if arranged by Alice Barker Nutrition.

3. Cancellation Policy: You may cancel any appointment but should try to give more than 48 hours’ notice. If you cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full consultation fee.

F. Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR)

1. Confidentiality: All of the information I provide to Alice Barker Nutrition is protected by General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and is confidential unless disclosure is required by law.  Alice Barker Nutrition will keep your personal information confidential and secure following the GDPR guidelines.

2. Case Reports: My case information may be used for the publication of case reports or case studies. Any information concerning my identity will be excluded from publication, thus maintaining my anonymity.

3. Disclosure for Harm: Alice Barker Nutrition will not share your information with third parties without your consent. However, if there is a belief that there is a risk of significant harm to yourself or another person, the information may be passed onto an appropriate authority using the legal basis of vital interest.

G. Consent, Agreement, and Waiver

I, ________________________________________, confirm that I have read and understood the information provided in this document. I consent to receive Nutritional Therapy from Alice Barker Nutrition, and I understand that I may withdraw this consent at any time.

I acknowledge that the services provided are complementary in nature and not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. I accept that responsibility for my own health and medical care remains with me and that my practitioner’s role is to support my wellbeing through dietary and lifestyle advice.

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this document. I understand that, except in cases of negligence or breach of statutory duty, I, along with my heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, will not hold Alice Barker Nutrition or its practitioners liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from my participation in these services.

I understand and agree that our professional relationship will be based on the content of this document.

Client Name (Print):	________________________
Client Signature:	________________________
Date:	________________________

ALICE BARKER NUTRITION :	________________________
Signature:	________________________
Date:	________________________