Terms of Engagement
A. General Information and Professional Scope
Nutritional Therapy is a complementary approach that supports health and wellbeing through personalised, holistic care. Practitioners use a range of tools to explore lifestyle, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and health history in order to identify patterns or imbalances that may be contributing to a client's concerns. The approach is personalised, as practitioners consider each individual to be unique, recommending bespoke nutrition and lifestyle programmes rather than a 'one size fits all' approach.
Recommendations are tailored to the individual and may include lifestyle guidance, nutritional support, coaching strategies, or other complementary approaches appropriate to the practitioner's training and scope.
Naturopathy is recognised as a complementary medicine. Consultations with a nutritional therapist include taking a detailed case history, creating a recommended plan, and following up on results and progression.
Consultations are conducted online. Services are available to clients based in the United Kingdom and are provided to adults aged 18 and over only.
B. Limitations, Risks, and Referrals
1. Non-Medical Practice: nutritional therapy is practised by non-medical professionals and is complementary to other regulated forms of healthcare in England.
2. Diagnosis and Treatment: nutritional therapy practitioners do not diagnose medical conditions or claim to treat disease. Any support provided is complementary in nature and focused on wellbeing, lifestyle, and self-care.
3. Medical Advice: nutritional recommendations are not a substitute for professional medical advice and/or treatment. Nutritional therapy practitioners do not recommend their services as a replacement for medical advice.
4. Referrals: nutritional therapy practitioners will always refer any client with serious signs or symptoms that fall outside the scope of safe complementary practice ('red flags') to their medical professional. Maxwell Nutrition Clinic reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside its scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended.
5. Efficacy and Risk: no claim is made as to the efficacy of any nutritional therapy protocol. The degree of benefit obtainable may vary between clients with similar health problems. While the best course of action is continually sought, there always exists the possibility of side effects, adverse reactions, or inefficacy of a programme.
6. Safety: Maxwell Nutrition Clinic holds your safety and wellbeing as its top priority in the management of your case.
C. Practitioner Responsibilities
1. Intervention: Maxwell Nutrition Clinic will strive to deliver the safest and most effective interventions for your case.
2. Collaboration: nutritional therapy practitioners frequently work alongside medical professionals and will communicate with other healthcare professionals involved in the client's care to explain any programme that has been provided.
3. Scope: Maxwell Nutrition Clinic reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside its scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended. Maxwell Nutrition Clinic will make it clear if it intends to step outside the boundary of the consultation covered by this document.
4. Governance: standards of professional practice in Naturopathy are governed by the General Naturopathic Council (GNC).
5. Insurance Statement: Maxwell Nutrition Clinic is insured for professional liability and malpractice.
6. Record Retention Period: client records are retained securely for 7 years following the last consultation, in line with GNC and GDPR requirements.
7. Complaints Procedure: if you wish to make a complaint, please contact Maxwell Nutrition Clinic in the first instance. If unresolved, you may contact my professional association, the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP), or regulating body, the General Naturopathic Council (GNC), for further guidance.
D. Client Responsibilities (The Client understands and agrees)
1. Medical Disclosure: I will inform Maxwell Nutrition Clinic of all medical conditions I have been diagnosed with, symptoms I am experiencing, and medications I am taking/have taken in the past. I must inform them of any new medical conditions, symptoms, or medications should they arise. Providing full details of diagnosed medical conditions and medications is crucial, as this may affect the nutritional programme.
2. Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: I will inform Maxwell Nutrition Clinic immediately if I am pregnant or breastfeeding, or if I plan to become pregnant or begin breastfeeding.
3. Communication with Medical Professionals: I am responsible for contacting my GP about any health concerns. I should tell my GP, or any other medical provider, about any nutrition plans provided by my practitioner, as this is necessary because of any possible reaction between medication and the nutrition plan. I am directed to promptly consult my doctor or equivalent medical professional if I have not previously done so regarding my condition.
4. Prescribed Treatments: I am not to alter or discontinue treatments prescribed by a licensed health professional without consulting the individual who prescribed the treatment.
5. Understanding and Compliance: I will inform Maxwell Nutrition Clinic if I do not understand any given part of the recommendations or if I am uncomfortable with any aspect of my care. The suitability of the advice depends on the accuracy of how I answer questions during the consultation and complete the questionnaire. Responsibility cannot be accepted if important information is withheld or in cases of non-compliance. I understand that the recommendations are personal to me and may not be appropriate for others. Recommendations for the nutrition plan, e.g. changes in diet, including the use of nutritional supplements, are entirely my responsibility. I must contact my practitioner should I wish to continue any specified programme for longer than the originally agreed period, to avoid any potential adverse reactions.
6. Secure Communication: confidential information, including completed questionnaires and test results, should be shared via the secure client portal rather than by email, as set out in the Privacy Notice.
E. Fees, Payment, and Cancellation Policy
1. Fee Schedule: I have read and understand Maxwell Nutrition Clinic's fee and prices schedule.
2. Payment Terms: consultations are payable in advance. Payment confirms the booking and is due no later than 48 hours before each appointment.
3. Cancellation Policy: you may cancel or reschedule any appointment but should give more than 48 hours' notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice will be charged the full consultation fee.
4. Missed Appointments: appointments missed without notice ('no-shows') are charged at the full consultation fee.
5. Supplements and Testing: the cost of any recommended supplements, functional testing, or third-party services is not included in consultation fees and is payable separately by the client.
F. Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR)
1. Confidentiality: all of the information I provide to Maxwell Nutrition Clinic is protected by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and is confidential unless disclosure is required by law. Maxwell Nutrition Clinic will keep your personal information confidential and secure following GDPR guidelines. Full details are set out in the Privacy Notice, available at maxwellnutritionclinic.co.uk.
2. Case Reports: anonymised case information may be used for the publication of case reports or case studies only where the client has given explicit consent at intake. Any information concerning my identity will be excluded from publication, thus maintaining my anonymity.
Disclosure for Harm: Maxwell Nutrition Clinic will not share your information with third parties without your consent. However, if there is a belief that there is a risk of significant harm to yourself or another person, the information may be passed to an appropriate authority using the legal basis of vital interest.