The best of both worlds

Good health is important to everyone and it is vital that all aspects of healthcare provision are of the highest quality. No one has a monopoly on medical knowledge and it seems to me that we must adopt the best from both orthodox western medicine and other traditions.

(Credit: AP PHOTO/JOHN STILLWELL)

The concept of integration remains close to my heart. For me this starts with the integration within each individual of the body, mind, and spirit through to the holistic development of the whole person. It extends to the relationship between that person and those around them. Part of this is being part of a community where people value and respect each other's beliefs and where no racial, religious, or cultural barriers exist. That is why, for me, integrated medicine is more than simply about curing disease and symptoms. It is about encouraging individual responsibility for one's own health. …