A unique scheme set up to promote alternative medicine is celebrating after scooping an award. Jamie Diffley looks at what's on offer. ********* Gill Houlis was in agony. The arthritis which had started in her knees when she was 21 was really taking a grip and the prescription drugs were not working. As part of a unique scheme to help residents in the West End of Newcastle, her doctor, Dr Bookliss, referred her to see an acupuncturist. For Gill the relief was immediate. "I realise now the treatment has been a gradual process over the years, but I remember thinking how I felt better straight away. It was almost instant pain relief." Now 49, Gill, of Westerhope, has all but abandoned her previous treatment in favour of the acupuncture. After her initial referral she now pays privately to see Jo Wright at the Saville Acupuncture Clinic in College Street, Newcastle. Yearly appointments she should keep with a hospital consultant have had to be cancelled on the past two occasions because Gill has nothing to report. She is due to go next month but again will cancel. "I started seeing a hospital consultant when the arthritis was at its worst," said Gill. "I have these yearly appointments but there is no point going." Gill's referral was part of the West End Complementary Therapy Project. It was set up five years ago to provide complementary therapies on the NHS. Established with support from Newcastle New Deal for the Communities and Newcastle Primary Care Trust (PCT), the project helps West End residents access complementary therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic and aromatherapy through their local doctor for free. The project has been a massive success and recently won the NHS Alliance Acorn Award, which recognises excellence, best practice and innovation within primary care services. Working together, doctors and therapists develop treatment plans for patients suffering from a range of problems such as eczema, insomnia and asthma and the complementary treatments are given in the familiar surroundings of the GP surgery. Local GPs are 100% behind the project, with all 17 surgeries in the West End regularly referring patients for complementary treatment. Dr Mike Scott, a GP from the Newburn Surgery, said: "Gone are the days when complementary therapies were seen as a bit wacky and off the wall. They now have an important role to play in the management of illness and may complement existing medical treatments a patient may be having." In a recent evaluation of the project, 76% of patients using complementary therapies had a significant improvement to their health and wellbeing. "Of course, these treatments are widely available privately but many people can't afford them," said Dr Scott. "This project enables those who are most in need to access additional treatments that may help them." The additional treatments certainly helped Gill, who suffers from psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can affect men and women equally and, like rheumatoid arthritis, it is thought to be caused by a malfunctioning immune system. Although usually milder than rheumatoid arthritis, it can develop quickly and left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can be a progressively disabling disease. Former bank worker Gill had no end of problems. "It got to the stage where simple things like opening a door was becoming impossible," said Gill. "It made work very difficult. Counting money was impossible. The arthritis was extremely painful." Gill was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and strong painkillers. When they failed, Gill was sent to hospital for steroid injections and even stronger drugs. But nothing was working. Three years ago she started acupuncture. "The benefits have been enormous," she said. "My quality of life is so much better now." Gill is among hundreds of patients to have been referred for complementary treatments, and there have been some startling results. Hitting the headlines a year ago was Women's Own Children of Courage Award winner Ben Clinton, of Fenham, who suffers from severe eczema. Ravaged by the effects of his condition, the eight-year-old was unable to enjoy most everyday things that most children take for granted. Ben received his accolade from award sponsor Prince Charles, who was so moved by his plight that he took a personal interest in Ben's condition. He made contact with Michael Dixon, Chairman of the NHS Alliance, who, like the Prince, is a prominent supporter of complementary medicine. Mr Dixon referred Ben to the West End Complementary Therapy Project and Hexham-based homeopath Pat Haggie prescribed a range of treatments for him, including a dose of sulphur, a homeopathic skin remedy and calcium carbonate to ease his mood. A Japanese Johrei healer also worked to calm his immune system and improve his metabolism. Nine months later, his life was transformed. His mum, Anita, said: "It's been totally amazing. His skin has improved by about 70% and he's so much happier. "He has much less trouble with headaches and there's no eczema on his face." Lynne Blakey, of Newcastle New Deal for Communities, said the Acorn Award was "wonderful", adding: "It is a pat on the back for everyone who has contributed to making it happen." The project is one of a number of initiatives supported by New Deal for Communities, a community-led programme helping to improve people's health in the West End." A spokeswoman for Newcastle Primary Care Trust said: "We welcome this award and it's a great example of good working between the NHS and alternative therapies which have been proven to be of benefit to patients." Page 2: What's the alternative? | 
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