DOCTORS have slammed a NSW parliamentary investigation that has called for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to be registered, saying this would lend undue legitimacy to the therapy without protecting patients from harm.

  The proposals would require all practitioners to complete a recognised Bachelor degree in TCM, with a grandfathering provision allowing listed practitioners with five years? practice to complete an approved bridging course or pass an exam.

With the plan expected to form the basis of draft legislation in NSW, the move has again raised concerns about the lack of appropriate training in Western medicine for TCM practitioners in Australia.

Dr Kit Sun Lau, a practising GP and immediate past-president of the NSW branch of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College, said: ?In a proper system of health care it is important that all practitioners have a basic understanding of Western medicine for the safety of the patient.

?What are the conditions of their registration? We are essentially giving them a blank cheque. What if they turn the tables around and tell us what we can practise ? if they want to assume the authority??

But Dr Peter Wong, a member of the NSW Legislative Council and a practising GP, said registration would ensure consumer protection and a system where complaints could be investigated.

?We are not trying to elevate the profession in any way. It would ensure there would not be any charlatans,? he said. ?We are not trying to replace Western medical practitioners.?

During the NSW inquiry into TCM, Dr Wong said he had heard anecdotally of TCM practitioners claiming they could cure cancer, doing procedures that should only be done by trained doctors and disposing of their sharps improperly.

Victoria is the only state in Australia that registers TCM practitioners.