Vale Kevin Watkins
ATMS UPDATE
Regulatory Update
Chantel Ryan
ATMS Board approves new Code of Conduct for Members ATMS regularly reviews ( and where applicable , updates ) its policies , procedures and guidelines to ensure they reflect current industry standards and best practice for members . ATMS ’ s Regulatory Committee recently reviewed and updated the Members ’ Code of Conduct to reflect changes in terminology and clarify certain practitioner requirements . The updated Code has been approved by the ATMS Board and will be available for Members soon . ATMS encourages Members to familiarise themselves with the new Code once available .
Some product manufacturers cease supply to new graduates of Advanced Diplomas In August , several distributors including Bioconcepts , Metagenic and Integria announced they would require natural medicine practitioners to have a minimum qualification of a Bachelor degree in order to open a new account . While these rules don ’ t affect those Advanced Diploma holders who already have accounts with these companies , new graduates of the current Advanced Diplomas in Naturopathy , Nutrition and Herbal Medicine will no longer be eligible . ATMS is disappointed by the stance taken by these companies , particularly considering that they plan to continue to supply to professionals in other modalities who have never studied nutrition or western herbal medicine .
While ATMS accepts these companies ’ decisions to amend their selling standards as they see fit , ATMS will continue to support the current Advanced Diplomas in Naturopathy , Nutrition and Herbal Medicine , provided they meet ATMS ’ s education standards . ATMS conducts thorough internal reviews of both the colleges teaching these diplomas and their course material , via its Academic Review Committee , Board , and independent expert reviewers .
ATMS ’ s decision to continue to accredit these courses was prompted by the increasing decline in the number of education providers of natural medicine in Australia – with only two education providers at this time teaching naturopathy , nutrition and herbal medicine . ATMS took this step to protect these modalities from complete removal from the education sector , as we have seen with other modalities , such as homeopathy . Graduates of ATMS accredited courses can also articulate into a higher education program with recognised prior learning .
ATMS has spoken with a number of product suppliers and encouraged them to conduct their own research into these courses , many of whom have agreed that these new Advanced Diplomas are of an adequate education standard . ATMS is pleased that many suppliers have announced they will continue to supply to graduates of these courses , provided the courses are accredited by natural medicine associations , such as ATMS . Discussions with suppliers are continuing and ATMS is hopeful that more suppliers will confirm their continued supply to all graduates of ATMS accredited natural medicine courses .
Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel ( NTREAP ) timetable for conclusion confirmed In June , ATMS participated in a Health Department feedback session that confirmed that the Natural Therapies Review schedule was back under way with a process in place and a timetable for conclusion . The review is to consider further evidence for natural therapies to report to Government as to which therapies should have private health subsidies restored . The review was announced back in 2019 but suffered severe timetable disruption due to COVID . ATMS is pleased the review is again under way and will continue to support the completion of the review . It is expected that the report will be provided to government early 2024 .
Vale Kevin Watkins
Kevin Watkins passed away on April 26 , 2023 , at the age of 70 . Kevin , a Remedial and Bowen Massage Practitioner , had a distinguished career in the practice and education of natural medicine . In 1992 he established a leading college of natural medicine , the South Australian Health Education Centre , and was its Managing Director until in 2008 Endeavour College purchased it . Kevin then became the manager of Endeavour ’ s South Australian operation .
He was a long-serving , hard-working and highly valued director of ATMS , and a deeply committed and articulate advocate for the profession . After his term as a director he continued to serve ATMS through his participation in committee work .
Kevin also distinguished himself in other spheres of his very productive life . At various times he was a photographer for the National Geographic Society in several African countries and carried out project management for climate change in Uganda . He was the president of the Australian Surf Rowers ’ League and of Surf Life Saving South Australia , where his legacy is keenly felt .
ATMS extends its sincere condolences to Kevin ’ s wife Sofie , and their children Oskar and Ella .
JATMS | Spring 2023 | 163