.

OBJECTS, AIMS AND RULES OF THE ORGANISATION

 

 

1

The name of the Organisation will be:

 

THE SCOTTISH MASSAGE THERAPISTS' ORGANISATION

2

OBJECTS AND AIMS OF THE ORGANISATION

 

a)

To provide an organisation for those persons trained in the skills of basic Swedish massage, remedial and sports massage, remedial massage, advanced remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy and reflexology, designating a professional standard of ability, proficiency and experience, thereby conferring a recognised and approved standard by virtue of membership.

 

b)

To conduct examinations in the theory and practice of basic Swedish massage, massage therapy, remedial massage, remedial and sports massage, advanced remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy and reflexology and to grant certificates of proficiency where appropriate. Also, to promote and support the advancement of these therapies in Scotland by furthering education.

 

c)

To establish, promote and enforce a Code of Conduct and Ethics and Code of Practice to safeguard the integrity of Members' professional status.

 

d)

To buy, print, publish, or support books or literature or any publication for circulation to Members that may be of interest to them in their professional activities and which will promote the objects of the Organisation.

 

e)

To purchase, have, hold or dispose of, any buildings for use as training establishments, lecture rooms or clinics, for the advancement of the objects of the Organisation.

 

f)

To do such other things that will achieve the aims and objects of the Organisation that may be determined as necessary by the Committee of the Organisation.

3

CODE OF ETHICS

 

Members engaged in the practice of basic Swedish massage, remedial and sports massage, remedial massage, advanced remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy and reflexology, having satisfied the Committee of their competence in such therapies, shall adhere to the following Code of Conduct and Ethics and comply with the SMTO Code of Practice.

 

Members shall: -

 

a)

Uphold all laws and regulations of the country in which the practitioner may legally practice.

 

b)

Maintain the high standard of professional conduct appropriate to membership of the Organisation in which the interests and welfare of the client are deemed to be paramount.

 

c)

Respect the client/practitioner relationship, the confidentiality of the client endeavouring to foster and maintain trust at all times.

 

d)

Be sensitive to client in regard to modesty and special needs e.g. language difficulties, disability or if they wish a companion to be present

 

e)

Respect the views and beliefs of your clients in regard to gender, ethnic origins, culture, sexuality, lifestyle, age and social status.

 

f)

Maintain good communication at all times ensuring the client understands and have consents to all procedures. Where a client is unable to consent, then consent must be obtained from someone who can, on the client’s behalf.

 

g)

Observe the highest degree of integrity and responsibility in regard to the practice of Swedish massage, remedial and sports massage, remedial massage, advanced remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy and reflexology working within your professional competence.

 

h)

Respect the client’s autonomy and allow them choice and never take advantage of the power that exists in a therapist/client relationship. This would constitute abuse.

 

i)

Be prepared and competent to administer emergency procedures as may be required by the client, and to maintain such procedures until relieved.

 

j)

Seek appropriate medical advice in any situation in which the practitioner may lack the necessary competence or experience to administer treatment.

 

k)

Maintain careful records of all clients in regard to a full medical history and presenting complaint, assessment and procedures performed, and then keeping up to date medical records, clinical findings to the level of competence gained, information and advice given and any comments made plus details of any suggested referral. Records are the property of the client.

 

l)

When records are kept on a computer, registration with the database authorities is required.

 

m)

Provide information (if requested) to other health professionals with client’s written consent only.

 

n)

Report all notifiable disease states according to applicable laws

 

o)

Ensure by means of continuous update of information and training, a level of competence consistent with the highest standards of the profession

 

p)

Do nothing to entice clients from the care of professional colleagues.

 

q)

Refrain from all acts or criticisms that may conceivably bring a professional colleague or organisation into disrepute.

 

r)

Abstain from any claim or statement misrepresenting the therapeutic benefits of basic Swedish massage, remedial and sports massage, remedial massage, advanced remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy and reflexology.

 

s)

Deal with complaints and criticisms efficiently

4

CODE OF PRACTICE

 

1

Insurance.

 

 

a)

Practitioners must be professionally indemnified in respect of client, public and, where appropriate, product liabilities.

 

2

Premises.

 

 

a)

Treatment areas must be equipped to clinical standards and must comply with current health and safety regulations

 

 

b)

Staff facilities and public areas (waiting rooms, hallways, stairs, toilet facilities etc.) must comply with current health and safety regulations.

 

3

Security

 

 

a)

Practitioners must ensure that the clients' confidential records are properly safeguarded and not accessible to third parties. Client’s belongings should also be kept in a safe place.

 

4

Referrals

 

 

a)

Practitioners should observe the recognised form of client referral.

 

5

Conduct.

 

 

A therapist may not:

 

 

a)

Address or refer to an assistant as "Nurse" unless the person referred to holds a nursing qualification in the country in which the practitioner is operating a clinic.

 

 

b)

Call himself/herself "Doctor" unless he/she holds a recognised medical qualification in the country in which the Member is practising.

 

 

c)

Undertake any physical examination or treatment of a child under sixteen years except in the presence of the parent or an authorised person or without parental consent.

 

 

d)

Make any written or unwritten claims in regard to the 'curative' benefits of treatment.

 

 

e)

Undertake treatment of a person who is already receiving medical treatment of a similar nature for the same condition without the respective practitioner's consent.

 

 

f)

Treat animals without express permission from a veterinary surgeon.

 

6

Advertising.

 

 

Therapists shall be free to advertise their services and practices as they see fit, subject to any advertisements: -

 

 

a)

Being legal, decent, honest and truthful and in accordance with the British Code of Advertising Practice or appropriate overseas code.

 

 

b)

Not being of a character that could reasonably be regarded as likely to bring the profession into disrepute.

 

 

c)

Not being such as to abuse the trust of existing or potential clients or exploit their lack of knowledge.

 

7

Stationery and Name Plates

 

 

a)

Professional letterheads should be of good quality and print. Name plates on buildings and windows should be of modest size.

 

 

b)

A full member may use the logo of the organisation on business stationery only but otherwise, at the discretion of the Committee.

 

8

Discipline.

 

 

The Committee of the Organisation may, on investigation, de-register any student or practising therapist contravening the spirit or letter of the Organisation's Code of Ethics and/or Code of Practice or on the grounds of any other act which they may consider to reflect adversely on the good name and reputation of the Organisation.

 

9

Complaints Procedure.

 

 

Complaints should be put in writing in the first instance to the Secretary who will acknowledge receipt within five days. The Secretary will write to the Member concerned giving details of the complaint lodged and requesting full and detailed information. If no reply is received within 14 days, a second request for information is sent out to the Member. Failure to bring any response would instigate automatic de-registration. The Member concerned will be requested to explain the situation in writing or in person. Any Member subject to investigation shall be entitled to make representation to the Committee, either in person or through a representative, before any decision is taken as to whether or not he or she should be de-registered. Clients should be advised accordingly if they wish to make a complaint, of the complaints procedure.

 

10

Publications.

 

 

Nothing may be published in the name of the Organisation without the prior agreement of the Committee, or sub-committee or Member acting with the full authority of the Committee.

5

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

 

There will be the following categories of membership: -

 

1

Full Membership

 

 

This will be open to:

 

 

a)

A graduate from a school whose course has been accredited by the Committee.

 

 

b)

A graduate from a competent school offering a course which, in the view of the Committee, is taught to the required standard.

 

 

c)

A graduate from a competent Swedish massage training school who has passed that school's examination and given proof of competence to the Committee of the Organisation who will then decide if the person concerned has reached the standard of proficiency required by the Organisation.

 

 

d)

An established practitioner who has given proof of competence to practice Swedish massage to the Committee and passed any examination required by the Committee.

 

2

Student Membership.

 

 

This will be open to any student enrolling on an accredited Swedish massage, remedial and sports massage, remedial massage, on-site massage, manipulative therapy, clinical aromatherapy or reflexology course run by an affiliated school.

 

3

Honorary Membership.

 

 

This will be bestowed, at the discretion of the Committee, on any person who, in their opinion, has contributed greatly to the Organisation or to the profession of massage therapy in general.

 

4

Joint Membership

 

 

This will be available, at a fee to be determined by the committee from time to time, to any two members, both fully qualified who are resident at the same address

 

Applications for membership shall be determined by the Committee whose decision shall be final.

6

DESIGNATORY LETTERS

 

Full members only will be entitled to use the designatory letters SMTO after their name.

7

MEMBERSHIP FEES

 

a)

An annual subscription shall be payable by all Members of the Organisation at an amount so determined at the Annual General Meeting the preceding year.

 

b)

The Member is required to furnish evidence of insurance on membership renewal.

 

c)

Subscriptions are payable first on enrolment on a quarterly pro-rata basis and annually thereafter by 1st January each year.

 

d)

If a members subscription be more than one month overdue, the Committee shall have the power to terminate membership and shall so notify the member who shall, when so notified, return the membership certificate forthwith.

 

e)

At the discretion of the Committee, long-standing Members retiring from professional work and non-practising full members may be allowed to retain membership of the Organisation at a reduced annual subscription to be determined by the Committee.

8

CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP

 

a)

Each qualifying Member will be given a Certificate of Membership, which will remain the property of the Organisation

 

b)

The Certificate must not be used in any way that would be to the detriment of the Organisation and its members, or it may, at the discretion of the Committee, be forfeited, and returnable on demand.

 

c)

The Organisation shall cause to be issued annually, a dated and signed certificate confirming Practitioners Membership, and insurance cover.

9

THE COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANISATION

 

a)

The affairs of the Organisation will be managed by a Committee of a minimum of five Members of the Organisation.

 

b)

The Committee will consist of the Chairman, and Secretary, and three ordinary members. The Chairman and Secretary shall be the directors of the Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation Limited for the time being.

 

c)

The election of ordinary Committee Members, excluding the Chairman and Secretary, will take place at the Annual General Meeting, held in the Spring of each year. Committee Members may however be co-opted on to the Committee, to serve in the place of any resigning Member of the Committee, at the discretion of the Committee.

 

d)

The term of office for an ordinary member shall be one year.

 

e)

Nominations of Committee Members may be submitted at any time, but definitely not less than 14 days before the Annual General Meeting.

 

f)

Retiring Committee Members may offer themselves for re-election but serve no more than three consecutive terms of office in the same position.

 

g)

The Secretary shall be responsible for convening meetings of the Committee of which not less than 14 days' written notice to Members of the Committee shall be given. Three Members of the Committee will constitute a quorum. The Secretary shall convene such meetings when requested to do so by one or more Members of the Committee, verbally or in writing.

 

h)

The Committee shall have the power to form sub-committees, and to co-opt onto such committees, any person or persons, providing he or she is a Member of the Organisation. At least one Member of the full Committee will be on each sub-committee, and the sub-committees will be answerable to the full Committee at all times.

 

i)

The Committee shall have the power to decide and adjudicate upon any questions not provided for in the Objects, Aims and Rules of the Organisation; their decision shall be subject to the confirmation of Members at the next Annual General Meeting, or by postal ballot.

 

j)

The term of office for the first Committee shall commence at the time of the first scheduled Annual General Meeting.

 

k)

The Committee shall have the power to make standing orders for the conduct of the business of the Annual General Meeting, special General Meeting and meetings of the full Committee and sub-committees. Standing orders will not require the approval of Members.

10

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

a)

The Annual General Meeting of the Organisation shall take place in the Spring of each year, or as required by the Committee, on a date to be determined by the Committee. Not less than one month's written notice of the place, date and time of the meeting shall be given to Members.

 

b)

The attendance of five members personally present at the Annual General Meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 

c)

In the absence of the Chairman, the Secretary shall preside at the Meeting, in the capacity of Chairman.

 

d)

A resolution put to the vote at the Annual General Meeting shall be decided upon by a show of hands, unless the Chairman elects to conduct a poll. The Chairman will be permitted a casting vote, and the declaration by the Chairman of the result shall be accepted as final.

 

e)

Proposals and Resolutions may only be made by Members attending at the Annual General Meeting, except, if matters arise in the procedures of the business at the Meeting. Notice of proposals and resolutions must be submitted, in writing, to the Secretary at least fourteen clear days before the date of the Annual General Meeting and should be signed by the proposing Member and seconding Member respectively. Proposals and resolutions so received will be reported to the Committee by the Secretary prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Committee will determine the competency of all such proposals and resolutions before submission to the Annual General Meeting. Resolutions considered incompetent by the Committee would be reported by the Chairman at the Meeting.

 

f)

Only a Full Member shall be entitled to vote at any Meeting of the Organisation, and shall be permitted one vote only. This would apply only to a Member who is a fully paid-up Member at the time of the Meeting. Student and Honorary Members may attend Meetings, but shall have no voting rights.

 

g)

Normally, only attending Members will be permitted to vote at an Annual General Meeting of the Organisation. Members whose absence is unavoidable may nominate another Member, in attendance at the Meeting, to vote for them. The appropriate Proxy Form (obtainable from the Secretary) must be completed and in the Secretary's hands at least forty-eight hours before the Meeting. Proof of posting will not be accepted as proof of receipt. No attending Member may act as Proxy for more than two absent Members.

11

LEGAL ADVISERS TO THE ORGANISATION

 

The Committee may appoint a Legal Adviser to perform such legal duties and functions that may be desired by the Committee. The fees of the legal adviser, in this respect, will be paid for by the Organisation.

12

ACCOUNTANT TO THE ORGANISATION

 

The Committee shall appoint an Accountant and Auditor to perform such duties and functions in relation to the Organisation's Accounts and Balances Sheet that may be desired by the Committee. The fees of the Accountant in this respect shall be paid by the Organisation.

13

DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS

 

The Organisation shall publish, annually, a list of its Members, with details of the qualifications and services available. The directory will be on the Internet on the SMTO website.

14

ALTERATION TO RULES

 

Any alteration in the above Aims, Objects, and Rules of the Organisation must be agreed by the majority of Members present at an Annual General Meeting of the Organisation. The Chairman may however, at the discretion of the Committee, call a postal ballot to effect necessary alterations to the Aims, Objects and Rules of the Organisation, to achieve their intent.