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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think you can't certify woo

81 replies

RickRoll · 09/10/2015 17:41

This is for a job as a

"Part-time Complementary Therapist Reiki/Spiritual Healer"

in an Epping NHS hospital

www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/26ed44d3913ede389bedce1e4777458a/?vac_ref=913927029

"For this role you will need a Reiki Master Usui System qualification."

WTF?

OP posts:

00100001 · 09/10/2015 17:43

What a fucking waste of NHS money

PunkrockerGirl · 09/10/2015 17:47

Words fail me.

ArkhamOffitt · 09/10/2015 17:48

Ridiculous. Massage therapy/physio, yes. Giving credence to Woo Bollocks by putting it on the payroll, no.

Original poster

RickRoll · 09/10/2015 17:50

looks like you can become a Reiki Master for the low low price of $47

www.usuireikihealingmaster.net/

OP posts:

GreatFuckability · 09/10/2015 17:51

if it helps people feel better then does it matter if its 'woo'?

RachelZoe · 09/10/2015 17:55

I know a couple of "healers", Reiki is touching so their courses consist of appropriate touching, conduct, things like that, as well as the actual reiki stuff.

You can certify anything really.

RachelZoe · 09/10/2015 17:57

Also, reading that advert, it's for the breast cancer department to make people feel a bit better so it's not all awful, the placebo effect can be very strong for some people.

Cancer must be terrifying, if it makes them feel a little better, then so be it really.

BlueMoonRising · 09/10/2015 18:10

Reiki can be hands on, but equally it can be hands off, no touch required.

Reiki courses are about energy and channelling energy and symbols and chakras, rather than protocols about touching - the only protocols on touching when I went on a reiki course was to have the hands off 'private' areas.

Yes, I did the course.

I'm now even more convinced it's woo.

MsBojangles · 09/10/2015 18:26

I can't stand the word, 'woo'. I don't even believe in all that bollocks but the whole 'woo' thing is just nauseatingly twee.

RightWhoWasIt · 09/10/2015 18:31

Utter shite. I've had breast cancer and if they could have reattached my boob and my hair I might have felt better, but this? Nah. Disgraceful waste of NHS money.

GreatFuckability · 09/10/2015 18:36

but thats your opinion on it right and of course you are entitled to it, but i have a friend having BC treatment atm, and she finds the complimentary therapies very...well, therapeutic.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 09/10/2015 18:37

I understand that relaxation argument, Rachel. In a system where money is no object.

But don't you think that money would be better spent on drugs or treatments or earlier diagnosis. Or better support or end of life care. More nurses, more beds. The list is endless really.

If charities want to come in and provide it or patients need to pay for it themselves, that's fine. But while budgets are being ut left ,right and centre it shouldn't be coming out of nhs money.

RightWhoWasIt · 09/10/2015 18:40

Sorry if I came across as aggressive, but I hate this sort of thing. Yes, these softer therapies can bring comfort alongside the grim treatment, but we just can't afford the luxury. Put the money into funding new drugs, or improving care for the elderly, which is massively under-resourced.

Valdeeves · 09/10/2015 19:06

What does woo stand for?

celtictoast · 09/10/2015 19:13

Complete waste of money for the NHS. Everyone knows the NHS is cash-strapped.

Booboostwo · 09/10/2015 19:33

Completely immoral. There was a thread the other day about a poster's relative who had had her breast cancer operation cancelled twice - that the NHS is wasting money on such shit is just disgraceful.

MaidOfStars · 09/10/2015 19:47

It's so fucking bollocksy nonsense.

Licensing woo gives it a veneer of credibility that it ill deserves.

BlueMoonRising · 09/10/2015 19:52

MrsBojangles - what alternative to woo would you suggest?

ArkhamOffitt · 09/10/2015 19:54

Charlatans?
Snake Oil?
Exploitation?

JeffsanArsehole · 09/10/2015 19:57

Yes, it's bollocks

Just like the 8 million anti depressant prescriptions given out. 95% are of no clinical value and work entirely by placebo

Placebo is wonderful. It's not a bad thing.

RightWhoWasIt · 09/10/2015 19:58

I agree Booboos. I waited 2 months for my bc operation and then it was cancelled at the very last minute due to staff shortage. This is normal, unfortunately. I think sometimes the NHS is still seen as a kind of Mary Poppins organisation, there to make us "feel better"! There isn't the money for that.

I also wonder whether offering woo therapies to cancer patients feeds into the notion that if you "think positive" and "fight the cancer" it will affect your outcome. It won't, of course, but people are vulnerable at that time.

tictactoad · 09/10/2015 20:01

I love the word 'woo'

Shorthand for every bit of snake oily charlatanry out there.

RightWhoWasIt · 09/10/2015 20:04

Crystal gazing spoon whittling tie-dye lentil weavers

PunkrockerGirl · 09/10/2015 20:07

My db's surgery was cancelled 3 times (for pancreatic cancer).
So when I hear that the NHS is putting money into this shite, I make no apologies for feeling slightly very angry.

00100001 · 09/10/2015 20:12

I'm a Certified Binary Therapist, I have achieved level 00111011 and a Certificate from the Binary Therapy School. (You either pass or fail the Course, naurally)

I think I should apply for a job at the NHS and get paid £20k - hoorah

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