Acupuncture Byelaws
Relating to persons practicing Acupuncture together with their
premises made by Allerdale District Council under Section 15(7) of
the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and
Section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972.
1. Interpretation
a) In these Byelaws, unless the context otherwise requires, the
following expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to
them:
"The Act" means the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1982.
"Patient or Client" means any person who is present on the
premises for the purpose of receiving acupuncture treatment.
"Council" means the Allerdale Borough Council.
"Day" means a day on which the practice is carried on.
"Operator" means any person giving treatment.
"Practice" means the practice of acupuncture not being the
practice of acupuncture carried out under the supervision of a
person who is a registered medical practitioner or a dentist
registered under the Dentists Act 1957.
"Premises" means any premises registered under Part VIII of the
Act.
"Proprietor" means any person registered under Part VIII of the
Act.
"Treatment" means any operation in the practice of
acupuncture.
"The Treatment Area" means any part of the premises where
treatment is given to clients.
b) The Interpretation Act 1978 shall apply for the
interpretation of these byelaws as it applies for the
interpretation of an Act of Parliament.
2. For the purpose of securing the cleanliness of premises and
fittings therein, a proprietor shall ensure that:
a) All internal walls, doors, windows, partitions, floors and
floor coverings and ceilings are kept clean and in such good order
and repair as to enable them to be cleaned effectively.
b) The treatment area is used solely for giving treatment.
c) There shall be provided in the premises suitable and
sufficient covered bins or receptacles for the collection of all
waste materials and every such bin or receptacle shall be emptied
as often as necessary but not less than once a day into suitable
containers which shall be sealed before disposal. Where liners are
not used, the receptacles shall then be cleaned and sterilised.
d) Every needle, razor and other instrument used for cutting and
piercing shall before disposal, be placed in a waterproof covered
container capable of preventing penetration by, or the exposure of
any needle point, blade or cutting edge. Where washable boxes are
used they shall be emptied at least once every working day or more
frequently as necessary and the contents disposed of safely or
sterilised for re-use as appropriate. The box shall then be
cleaned. Where needle boxes are used they shall be disposed of
safely at suitable intervals.
e) All furniture and fittings in the premises are kept clean and
in such good order and repair as to enable them to be cleaned
effectively.
f) Any surface on which items specified in 3(b) below are placed
immediately prior to treatment, have a smooth impervious surface
which is wiped down whenever necessary and at least daily with
suitable disinfectant.
g) In the case of chairs and couches, clients shall sit or lie
on a disposable paper sheet which shall be changed for each
client.
h) A notice or notices reading "NO SMOKING" are prominently
displayed within the treatment area.
i) Premises shall be provided with suitable and adequate
heating, ventilation and lighting.
3) For the purpose of securing the cleansing and so far as is
appropriate, the sterilisation of instruments, materials and
equipment used in connection with the treatment:
a) An operator shall ensure that before use in connection with
treatment, any gown, wrap or other protective clothing, paper or
other covering, towel, cloth or other such articles which may be
applied to the patients skin when used in the treatment
(i) is clean and in good repair and so far as is appropriate, is
sterile;
(ii) has not been previously used in connection with any other
client unless it consists of a material which can be and has been
adequately cleaned and sterilised.
b) An operator shall ensure that any needle, metal instrument or
other item of equipment used in the treatment, or for handling
instruments and needles used in the treatment is in a sterile
condition and kept sterile until it is used. The needles should be
solid and have a surface which is not corroded.
c) A proprietor shall provide
(i) adequate facilities and equipment for the purpose of
sterilisation unless disposable items are used, and for cleansing
as required in pursuance of these byelaws:
(ii) sufficient and safe gas points and / or electrical socket
outlets to enable compliance with these byelaws;
(iii) an adequate and constant supply of clean hot and cold water
readily available at all times on the premises;
(iv) adequate storage for all items mentioned in byelaw 3(a) and
(b) above so that those items shall be properly stored in a clean
and suitable place so as to avoid as far as possible the risk of
contamination.
4) For the purpose of securing the cleanliness of operators:
a) An operator whilst giving treatment shall ensure that:
(i) His or her hands and nails are clean and nails kept
short.
(ii) He or she is wearing clean and washable clothing or
alternatively a disposable covering that has not been previously
used in connection with any other client.
(iii) He or she keeps any open sore, boil, cut or open wound on an
exposed part of his or her body effectively covered by an
impermeable dressing.
(iv) He or she does not smoke or consume food or drink on the
premises other than in a proper staff room provided for this
purpose
b) A proprietor shall provide:
(i) for the sole use of operators, a wash hand basin properly
connected to the drainage system with a supply of clean running hot
and cold water. At the wash hand basin there must be provided
bactericidal soap or detergent, clean nailbrush and disposable
towels or a hot air hand dryer.
(ii) Suitable and sufficient sanitary accommodation for sole use of
the operators which must be kept in a good state of repair and in a
clean condition.
5. For the purpose of assisting in the investigation of
infectious disease, the proprietor shall ensure that:
a) A record is kept, showing the name and address of all
patients having had treatment.
b) Each patient's record shall be kept no less than six
months.
c) The records are kept on the premises and are conveniently
accessible.
d) Any authorised Officer of the council is permitted to examine
and copy the records thus kept at all reasonable times.
THE COMMON SEAL of ALLERDALE DISTRICT COUNCIL was in pursuance
of a resolution in that behalf affixed on the first day of February
1984