The Aromatherapists Society

SECTION 4: CONDUCT IN RELATION TO COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS

4.1 Criticism and discrimination

Aromatherapists shall not unjustly criticise or discriminate against a colleague or other health professional.

4.2 Complaints against other aromatherapists

Aromatherapists shall report in the first instance any concern that they may have about the conduct, competence or health of another aromatherapist to their Association having first made an honest attempt to verify the facts upon which their concern is based. The safety of clients/patients must come first at all times and override personal and professional loyalties.

4.3 Approaching clients/patients of other aromatherapists

4.3.1 Where aromatherapists work together, in any capacity, in the same practice or premises, they are advised to enter into a specific agreement governing their respective responsibilities for the clients/patients whom they treat in that practice or those premises.

4.3.2 In the absence of any legal rule or such specific agreement as is mentioned in 3.3.1 to the contrary a client/patient who has been treated by one or more of the aromatherapists shall be deemed for the purposes of the provisions of the Code to be the client/patient of the aromatherapist or aromatherapists (if any) to whom the practice belongs, whose identity has been notified to the client/patient in accordance with section 2.4.

4.3.3 Aromatherapists shall not approach someone who is the client/patient of another aromatherapist with the intention of persuading that person to become their client/patient.

4.4.Commission and split fees

Aromatherapists shall not offer or accept any form of commission or split fee relating to referred cases.

4.5 Provision of information contained in records: Health Professionals

4.5.1. Aromatherapists shall make available to another health professional, with the clients/patient’s written consent, and without delay, full information relating to a clients/patient’s condition (including the originals or copies of any case history forms and treatment notes) where such information is required for the proper care of the client/patient.

4.5.2 Aromatherapists who receive on loan records belonging to another health professional shall return them promptly.

4.6 Provision of information contained in health records: Evidence

Aromatherapists who are required or requested to give evidence or information to legal bodies should do so with care. Where the evidence is given as an expert witness, the aromatherapist must be independent and impartial.

4.7 Employing other health professionals

4.7.1. Aromatherapists who employ health professionals of any description shall ensure that they are:

*Properly qualified, and registered with the appropriate statutory or regulatory body if any; and

*Properly insured against any liability to, or in relation to clients/patients. The nature and amount of such insurance relating to each health professional, and the conditions of cover, shall be those prescribed by the appropriate statutory or regulatory body.

4.7.2. Unqualified persons

Aromatherapists shall not practise in circumstances in which a person who is not a qualified aromatherapist takes decisions with regard to the aromatherapy treatment of the client/patient, unless that person is the medical practitioner for that client/patient.

4.7.3 Teaching and training

Aromatherapists who undertake to teach or train aromatherapy students shall ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge, and that those students whom they teach or train are properly supervised, and, where necessary, insured. Subject to these provisions, the aromatherapist may allow aromatherapy students to treat consenting clients/patients provided that any such treatment is carried out under the qualified aromatherapists’ supervision.