THE House of Lords has called for the booming complementary health industry to be brought under full regulation after a 15-month inquiry uncovered an alarming lack of regulation and poor scientific research. Feature writer CATHERINE TURNER asked therapists at a natural remedies clinic in Coventry for their reaction.

HOMEOPATH Kathy Stranks believes legislation to protect the public from quack complementary practitioners is long overdue.

The Lords select committee on science and technology has recommended that natural remedy therapists should be trained and registered so they can be struck off if incompetent, like traditional GPs.

"I think it is very important, essential even, that complementary therapies are properly regulated. All practitioners have a responsibility to be well-educated," said the 52-year-old former nurse from Napton, near Rugby.

"In my opinion the best solution would be to have an umbrella group, like the British Medical Association, with separate professional bodies within that.

"It has been claimed that there is no serious evidence-based research into the effectiveness of complimentary therapies.

"But Bristol University runs a degree course in complementary medicine and they have done some fantastic research with medical professionals."

Kathy is one of eight therapists who work at Alda House, a co-operative natural therapy centre in Manor House Drive, Coventry.

It was founded in 1994 by Linda Stokes.

Therapies include acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropody, holistic facials, homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, chiropractic, reflexology, reiki, sports massage, stress management, therapeutic massage and Hopi ear candles.

Linda, aged 53, said: "The therapists who work here are all qualified, they are registered with a professional body and have full insurance.

"I agree with Kathy, we should have some sort of legislation.

"With this in place people who are unqualified will quickly disappear.

"My thoughts are there has been a lot of scare-mongering - complementary remedies can be just as safe and effective as conventional medicine.

"My 18-month old grandson had homeopathy to cure a bad chest.

"I do not like the word alternative therapy, I always use complementary because everything we do complements orthodox medicine."

Linda first became interested in complementary medicine after undergoing major surgery 12 years ago.

One of her friends badgered her to see a therapist - she went and was surprised by the results.

The mum-of-two from Coventry said: "It was quite amazing because in complementary medicine the main belief is that the emotions are linked to the physical.

"This lady I saw traced the problem back to when I was 10 years old when my father was killed in a road traffic accident.

"The imbalance in my energy levels had caused my resultant health problem.

"She specialised in kinesiology (the study of the mechanics of body movement) and was so accurate.

"My recovery greatly improved. It made me think there's got to be more to this.

"I did an aromatherapy course, a reflexology course and Bowen Technique. I also run baby and infant massage classes.

"I am one of two women in the UK qualified to teach Indian head and ear healing with Hopi candles."

Homeopathy is an entire body and soul repair

SINCE she was a child Kathy Stranks realised that she had psychic powers.

Her natural ability has led to a 40-year interest in para-psychology, a subject which she has lectured on at Birmingham and Warwick University.