What ACMAC does:

One of ACMAC’s main aims is to support acupuncture practitioners in the process of setting up and running multibed clinics.

We aim to achieve this by:

• Hosting regular classes in the UK on “how to set up and run a multibed clinic”.
• Offering peer to peer support on our Forum.
• Offering peer to peer support via Regional Groups. SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS AND INFO ON GROUPS.
• Hosting conferences, thus far in the UK and Australia, to hear the opinions of world-class speakers, and to share our wisdom, experiences and vision for the future within our community. For information on all events, please keep an eye on our News and Events page, or sign up for our Newsletter.
• Providing information and research on various aspects of multibed practice on our Library. You will find links to relevant books, articles, research, websites and other Organisations. If you know of any information or research that you believe would enrich our Library, please contact Charlotte on info@acmac.net.

ACMAC sends out a regular Newsletter, with information on events, new clinics and all sorts of other news. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email info@acmac.net.

What ACMAC does not do:

ACMAC does not wish to duplicate roles, and therefore costs, of national regulatory bodies. For example, ACMAC does not regulate practitioners or clinics apart from requesting that they offer acupuncture treatment in a community setting at affordable prices. We ask that practitioners follow safe practice and ethical rules laid down by their national regulatory bodies, such as the British Acupuncture Council. or the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.

Regional Groups

Thus far there are 2 active regional ACMAC groups in the UK, with the first meeting of the 3rd group soon to be announced!

Di Shimell (1Space Affordable Acupuncture, Sheffield, S Yorkshire, UK) has started up an ACMAC Regional Group covering the large area from Chester to Hull, and from Manchester/Leeds to Buxton. The intention of the group is to provide an informal, friendly space for people interested in or running multibed clinics to get together, chew the fat, and help each other through any issues. Students are welcome too. The group is free although you could bring along some refreshments! Watch this space for details of the next meeting.

The third group will serve the Birmingham area. More details here as soon as we have them.

Thinking of setting up your own group? Here are some ideas.

Getting together in an informal setting to share ideas, concerns and work as a group is only ever a good thing. ACMAC encourages practitioners to go ahead and set up regional support groups. Take the initiative, set up your own group. If you need help, we will help you. Here are some things to think about to get you going:

Why form an ACMAC regional support group?
There are many different reasons why you want to set up a group, for example:

• You may want to meet up with other ACMAC members who have had similar experiences to yours, so that you can offer each other friendship, support and advice.

• You may have had a brilliant idea and need some more people to help make it happen.

• You may want to share marketing costs with local ACMAC members for newspaper/magazine publications or large events.

• You may want to establish a solid patient referral system between your local ACMAC members – as sometimes patients are just unable to attend during your specific opening times. This does work!

• You may feel more comfortable giving presentations to your local PCT, GP or nursing associations, when you present as a group.

• You might want to meet recently graduated or student members of ACMAC, to share your knowledge and offer guidance. The difference between them gaining the confidence to set up their own clinic or not, could be you!

What’s the first step?

Just as there are many different reasons to form an ACMAC regional support group, there are many different types of group you could set up. It’s worth thinking about your purpose(s), as this may affect the order you do things in. For example, your group may aim do one or many of the following…

• Discuss patient case histories.

• Provide friendship, support and/or advice.

• Invite guest speakers such as osteopaths or physiotherapists.

• Exist for marketing purposes only.

• Discuss ACMAC or BACC news.

• etc…

Think about the venue and facilities

Will you take turns holding meeting in your homes or clinical space? Will you rent a room in a community center or local library? (Ask for a discounted rate, as you are a group of acupuncturists providing affordable treatments to your local community.) If so, how will the cost be divided? If inviting guest speakers, will they need a projector or payment? Will you provide refreshments or ask other members of your group to bring refreshments to share?

Think about the agenda: Informal or formal

A typical agenda for an initial meeting would include:

Welcome and introductions
Aims of the group
Name of the group
Plans and ideas (and who will carry them out)
Who will do what (responsibilities in general)
Finances (marketing purposes, venue hire and/or refreshment cost)
Date and time of the next meeting

What’s next? Get started and have fun!

Register your group at info@acmac.net. We’ll publish it on this page, on our Forum and in our Newsletters. Tell us about your group, what you want to achieve with it, what area it covers, and when your next meeting is.