In the wake of the shocking sudden decision by Cancer Council of WA to stop complementary energy therapies from being auspiced in its Albany Wellness Centre, I have been asked, on behalf of local volunteer healing touch practitioners, to provide an open apology for their inability to provide continued support to our local community.
This decision was not made by our volunteers but by a CCWA decision to stop any “energy-based” complementary therapies, such as healing touch or reiki.
Healing touch practitioners have provided free healing touch care within Albany for the past 20 years, volunteering at the New Horizons Therapy Centre and Albany Hospice, Solaris Cancer Care Centre, as integrated with the Albany Health Campus, and post-COVID recently with the Cancer Council of WA Albany Wellness Hub in Grey Street.
At that time (2½ years ago), CCWA was provided with and accepted the research base, clear protocols for management and successful administration of healing touch wherever it was being delivered.
Solaris Cancer Care continues to provide healing touch therapies at SCGH in Perth and is very popular, but alas this is now not available in Albany.
As volunteers we feel the angst, confusion and sadness several of you continue to express to us individually and we empathise with you at this time.
We would encourage you to seek new ways of relaxation and calmness while continuing with your treatments in mainstream medicine.
Gillian Robertson
Albany Wellness Centre
Letters to the editor must contain the author’s full name, address and daytime contact number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons. Email news@albanyadvertiser.com or post to PO Box 5168 Albany, WA, 6332.
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