Terms of Engagement

A. General Information and Professional Scope

Nutritional therapy

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 to identify patterns or imbalances that may be contributing to a client’s concerns. The approach is personalised, as practitioners consider each individua 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 or herbal support, 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, performing a physical exam if relevant, creating a recommended treatment plan which may include dietary advice, supplements, testing, and lifestyle advice, and following up on results and progression.

B. Limitations, Risks, and Referrals

1. Non-Medical Practice: Nutritional therapy is practiced by non-medical professionals and is complementary to other regulated forms of healthcare in the UK.

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 therapy 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 out of the scope of safe complementary practice (‘red flags’) to their medical professional. KSmith Nutrition reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their 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 treatment.

6. Safety: KSmith Nutrition holds your safety and well-being as their top priority in the management of your case.

C. Practitioner Responsibilities

1. Intervention: KSmith Nutrition 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: KSmith Nutrition reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral will be recommended. KSmith Nutrition will make it clear if the practitioner 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. Commission Disclosure: KSmith Nutrition may recommend food supplements and/or functional testing as part of your programme and may receive a commission on these products or services. If the practitioner recommends supplements/tests and charges for them, there may be a mark-up on wholesale prices to cover the cost of supply and interpretation.

6. Insurance Statement: KSmith Nutrition is insured for professional liability and malpractice with Balens Ltd.

7. Record Retention Period: Client records are retained securely for 7 years following the last consultation, in line with GNC and GDPR requirements.

8. Complaints Procedure: If you wish to make a complaint, please contact KSmith Nutrition. 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 KSmith Nutrition 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 or 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 KSmith Nutrition 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 nutritional therapy provided by my practitioner, as this is necessary because of any possible reaction between medication and the nutritional therapy. 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:

   1. I will inform KSmith Nutrition 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(s). Responsibility cannot be accepted if important information is withheld or in cases of non-compliance.

   2. I understand that the recommendations are personal to you and may not be appropriate for others.

   3. Recommendations for nutritional therapy, 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 nutritional therapy, e.g. supplement programme for longer than the original agreed period, to avoid any potential adverse reactions.

6. Product Purchase: I am free to purchase any products recommended for my treatment from a vendor of my choosing, being under no obligation to purchase products from KSmith Nutrition, directly.

E. Fees, Payment, and Cancellation Policy

1. Fee Schedule: I have read and understand KSmith Nutrition’s fee and prices schedule.

2. Consultation Fees: Dependent on package, i.e. single consultation with plan/protocol and plan/protocol discussion (£100) or the ‘extended package’ (£250). Clients who have completed the extended package are currently charged £85 each for any further consultations with protocol and protocol discussion provided, as outlined on the website.

3. Additional Costs: Additional costs must be set, clear, and transparent to the client. Such fees include any fees for cancellation of an appointment, information regarding any deposits taken, cost of supplements or tests sold by KSmith Nutrition. Biochemical tests and/or nutritional/herbal supplements (if agreed upon) must be paid for at the end of the consultation.

4. Cancellation Policy: You may cancel any appointment but should try to give more than 48 hours’ notice. If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full consultation fee.

F. Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR)

1. Confidentiality: All of the information I provide to KSmith Nutrition is protected by General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and is confidential unless disclosure is required by law. KSmith Nutrition will keep personal information confidential and secure following the GDPR guidelines.

2. Case Reports: My case information may be used for the publication of case reports or case studies. Any information concerning my identity will be excluded from publication, thus maintaining my anonymity.

3. Disclosure for Harm: KSmith Nutrition 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 onto an appropriate authority using the legal basis of vital interest.

G. Consent, Agreement, and Waiver

By visiting this website, booking a consultation, or purchasing any services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the information provided in this Terms of Engagement document, in full, and that you consent to receive nutritional therapy from KSmith Nutrition, and understand that you may withdraw this consent at any time.

You also acknowledge that the services provided are complementary in nature and not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment and accept that responsibility for your own health and medical care remains with you and that your practitioner’s role is to support your wellbeing through dietary and lifestyle advice.

You also confirm that, except in cases of negligence or breach of statutory duty, you, along with your heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, will not hold KSmith Nutrition or its practitioner(s) liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from your participation in these services.

You understand and agree that our professional relationship will be based on the content of this document.

Thank you for reading.