The Aromatherapists Society

2.1 The welfare of the client/patient is paramount.

The relationship between Aromatherapists and their clients/patients is based on trust and on the principle that the welfare of the client/patient is paramount. Aromatherapists must take care to observe this trust and principle.

2.2  Treating patients with respect and consideration.

Aromatherapists shall treat clients/patients politely and considerately. In particular Aromatherapists shall listen to clients/patients and respect their views; ensure that the Aromatherapists’ own beliefs and prejudices do not affect adversely the treatment or advice which they give to clients/patients; respect clients/patients’ privacy and dignity, and their right to refuse to be subjects for teaching or research; inform clients/patients about any matters relating to their condition, or treatment, in a way which they can understand; and where appropriate or on request refer clients/patients promptly to a competent health professional for a second opinion.

2.3 Honesty with regard to investigations, treatment and advice.

Aromatherapists shall be honest with their clients/patients.In particular, Aromatherapists shall not misrepresent the gravity of a clients/patient’s condition or the therapeutic value of an aromatherapy treatment, nor promote undue dependence on their care, nor act or fail to act with regard to giving advice, recommending investigations or carrying out treatment in any way which is to the detriment of a client/patient.

2.4 Acceptance of responsibility for the care of clients/patients.

Aromatherapists shall be free to choose whom they shall accept as clients/patients.

On accepting a client/patient, Aromatherapists who work together in any capacity in the same practice or premises, are advised to provide the client/patient with written confirmation of:

*The name and status of the person responsible for the clients/patient’s day to day care;

*The person to whom the practice belongs, who will be responsible for the clients/patient’s records (see 3.3.2);

*The person to approach in the event of any problem with any treatment.

It shall also give written notification of any change, whenever practicable before it occurs, or if that is not possible, so soon as reasonably practicable afterwards.

2.5 Termination of responsibility for the care of clients/patients.

Aromatherapists shall not give up responsibility for the care of a client/patient without good cause, nor, where appropriate, without making a genuine attempt to ensure that the responsibility for the future care of the client/patient is assumed by a competent health professional.

2.6 Personal relationships

2.6.1 Aromatherapists shall not use their professional position as a means of pursuing an improper personal relationship with a client/patient or with a close relative or personal companion of a client/patient.

2.6.2 Aromatherapists who find that they are becoming involved in such an improper personal relationship with a client/patient should end the professional relationship and arrange alternative care for the client/patient.

2.6.3 Where it appears that a client/patient is becoming involved in such an improper personal relationship with the aromatherapist, the aromatherapist should take care not to encourage the client/patient, and may well be advised to arrange alternative care.

2.7 Undue influence.

Aromatherapists shall not attempt unduly to influence clients/patients to do anything against their will or for the financial or other benefit of the aromatherapist or anyone associated with them.

2.8 Informed consent.

2.8.1.Need for informed consent

Before instituting any examination or treatment, an aromatherapist shall ensure that informed consent to such treatment or examination has been given. Failure to obtain informed consent may lead to criminal or civil proceedings.

2.8.2 Meaning of informed consent

Informed consent means consent that is given by a person who has been supplied with all the necessary relevant information.

2.8.3 Capacity to give informed consent.

A person from whom informed consent to examination or treatment is sought must possess the necessary intellectual and legal capacity to give such consent.

A person will have the intellectual capacity to give consent if able to

*Understand in simple language what the examination or treatment is, its purposes and nature, and why it is being proposed;

*Understand its principal benefits, risks and alternatives;

*Understand in broad terms what will be the consequences of not undergoing the proposed examination or treatment;

*Retain the information for long enough to make an effective decision; and

*Make a free choice.

A person will have legal capacity to give consent to examination or treatment if that person has attained the age specified by the relevant law for giving such consent.

The relevant law specifying the age for giving such consent is different in different parts of the United Kingdom, and is complicated. Thus, in some parts of the UK, clients/patients under the age of 16 may have the legal capacity to give consent to certain examinations or treatments while in other parts of the UK, such clients/patients may not have such capacity.

2.8.4 Advice on action to be taken by aromatherapists

Because of the practical difficulties involved in determining how the relevant law applies in a particular case, aromatherapists are advised to act as follows.

Patients under the age of 16

In the case of clients/patients under the age of 16, aromatherapists are advised not to institute any examination or treatment unless they are satisfied that the clients/patient’s parent or other legal guardian has given informed consent.

Clients/patients over the age of 16 who do not have intellectual capacity

In the case of clients/patients over the age of 16 who do not have intellectual capacity to give consent (see 1.8.3) aromatherapists are advised not to institute any examination or treatment unless they are satisfied that the examination or treatment is in the best interests of the client/patient, in the sense that the action is taken to preserve the life, health or well-being of the patient.

The aromatherapist cannot normally decide alone whether this test is satisfied in a particular case. The decision will be reached in different ways, depending on the nature of the examination or treatment.

Where the proposed examination or treatment is simple and uncontroversial, the aromatherapist should seek agreement that it is in the clients/patient’s best interests from other health professionals, those close to the client/patient, and also the patient in so far as the client/patient can give an opinion.

Clients/patients over the age of 16 who do have intellectual capacity

In the case of clients/patients over the age of 16 who do have intellectual capacity, aromatherapists are advised not to institute any examination or treatment unless they are satisfied that:

The client/patient has been given sufficient relevant information to allow informed consent to be given; and,

The client/patient has given informed consent.

(*Note – Aromatherapists should be aware of the special position concerning patients in England and Wales who are over the age of 16 but under 18. Consent to the examination or treatment of such a client/patient may be given to by the client/patient; or the clients/patient’s parent or other legal guardian. All these people have an equal right to give consent, but it is not necessary to obtain consent from more than one of them. In the event of conflict between the client/patient and a parent or guardian, or between parents, aromatherapists should seek legal advice.)

2.9 Having a third party present

Where an aromatherapist intends to examine or treat a child under the age of 16 years, or to treat a client/patient in the clients/patient’s home, or where a client/patient so requests, the aromatherapist shall arrange for a third party (such as a suitable member of staff, or a relative or friend of the client/patient) to be present, unless this is impractical in the circumstances.

2.10 Dealing with medical emergencies

Aromatherapists shall establish within their practices, and make known to staff (where applicable), proper procedures for dealing with any medical emergency occurring on their premises.

2.11 Guidance when unable to help

In any case where an aromatherapist discovers that the client/patient is suffering from a condition, which is outside the aromatherapists’s scope of practice, the aromatherapist shall advise the client/patient to consult a registered medical practitioner or an appropriate, other person.

2.12 Reports on behalf of third Parties

Before an aromatherapist prepares a report on behalf of a third party, such as an employer or insurance company, the aromatherapist shall obtain the clients/patient’s consent in writing to the release of information to the third party and shall ensure at the outset that the client/patient is aware of the purpose of the report and of the obligation which the aromatherapist has towards the third party.

2.13 Notification of fees

Aromatherapist shall ensure that details of their fees are made known to clients/ patients either by way of notice or by personal communication before liability for payment is incurred.

2.14Commercial transactions

Aromatherapists who supply to a client/patient goods of any description shall ensure that such goods are likely to be beneficial to the client/patient.

2.15 Complaints and claims by clients/patients

Aromatherapists shall deal promptly and fairly with any complaint or claim made against them by a client/patient. In particular, they shall establish within their practices and make known to clients/patients a formal complaints procedure, and shall notify clients/patients of their right to refer any unresolved complaint to the aromatherapists association, the address of which they shall supply.

Where a client/patient wishes to make a complaint against another health professional, the aromatherapist shall give to the client/patient such assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances.

(The Aromatherapists Society Complaints and Disciplinary procedures are contained in a separate document.)