To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) her intentions to change the current policy of licensing PSA-accredited British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) acupuncturists through the Miscellaneous Provisions Act, in line with England and Wales; and (ii) any concerns she has that BAcC acupuncturists have been unable to practice during the COVID lockdowns due to this categorisation.

Anyone wishing to carry on the practice of acupuncture must be registered with their local council. The premises from which they operate must also be registered. Which body or organisation provided any accreditation or qualification held by a practitioner has no bearing on this requirement.

Acupuncturists, like any other close contact service, must comply with any relevant restrictions set out in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020. Again, any accreditation or qualification held by a practitioner is not relevant in this regard.