Trends in access to complementary or alternative medicines via primary care in England: 1995-2001 results from a follow-up national survey

A prior national survey of one in eight randomly selected general practices in England estimated that 39% of general practices [95% confidence interval (CI) 35-43%] provided some access to complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in 1995. A repeat survey, conducted in 2001, estimated that one in two practices in England now offer their patients some access to CAMs (95% CI 46-52%). The change was due to increased provision in-house; the proportion of practices making NHS referrals remained unchanged. The proportion of services supported by patient payments rose from 26 to 42%.