A film highlighting high-level work being carried out by acupuncturists across the UK has been unveiled at the Houses of Parliament today (11 March) – and features Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
The Northwood centre, run by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, has been involved in several studies which have researched the use of acupuncture for people living with cancer and those in remission.
The 30-minute film, called To the Point and produced by the British Acupuncture Council, highlights the work of the Supportive Oncology Research Team in a partnership with the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre at Mount Vernon.
It was unveiled at a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons today, alongside an international report titled The Scope of Acupuncture.
Among those to be interviewed for the film were consultant oncologist Dr Rob Glynn-Jones and Dr Beverley de Valois, researcher in integrative medicine, who are both based at Mount Vernon.
“It is fantastic to have a national platform to showcase the work being done at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre to ensure our patients receive the best possible care,” said Dr de Valois, who has been conducting acupuncture research at Mount Vernon since 2000.
“The Supportive Oncology Research Team, working alongside the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre, is proud to be at the forefront of acupuncture research and innovation in service, and the results among our patients speak for themselves.”
Macmillan nurse Elaine Melsome from the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre also speaks about the impact acupuncture has had on patients at Mount Vernon as part of the film.
She said: “For the head, neck and arm patients with ongoing pain issues we saw real measurable reduction in their pain. And I know in one case a patient had really severe problems, and he stopped his pain killers completely – and that was after a very long period of having to take them.”
Patient Val Fear, pictured above with Dr de Valois who treated her, said: “It didn’t hurt. There was a funny, tingly sensation, but it relaxed me and made me feel calm. Long term I benefited so much from it. I started to sleep properly and the nightmares stopped.
“I gained so much from the acupuncture, including my self-confidence. Lymphoedema doesn’t rule my life anymore.”
To watch a clip from the film which features Mount Vernon visit: https://youtu.be/YTLbnG5yJFs
To view To the Point in full see: youtube.com/watch?v=DWOm9GsKaaE
