**College Annual Report for 2023-2024** Published October 2024
Northern College of Acupuncture 61 Micklegate York YO1 6LJ Tel: 01904 343305 Website: www.nca.ac.uk
Registered charity number 1081184
## **Contents**
Contents .............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 2 Preface: The Purpose of the College Annual Report ..................................................................................................... 6 3 Preface: The Requirements of the Professional Accrediting Bodies.............................................................................. 6 3.1 British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) ..................................................................................................... 6 3.2 European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association ..................................................................... 7 3.3 Nutritional Therapy Education Commission ............................................................................................................. 7 4 The College’s Aims, Values and Charitable Objectives .................................................................................................. 8 5 Institutional Structure and Policy ................................................................................................................................ 10 5.1 Nature of the Charity .............................................................................................................................................. 10 5.2 Organisational Structure – Boards and Committees .............................................................................................. 10 5.3 The Board of Directors / Trustees ........................................................................................................................... 11 5.4 Stakeholder Relationships....................................................................................................................................... 11 5.5 Accrediting Organisations ....................................................................................................................................... 12 6 Strategy Review ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 7 Financial Review .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 7.1 Financial Strategy .................................................................................................................................................... 14 8 Activities during the year in relation to our charitable objectives .............................................................................. 16 8.1 Education ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 8.2 Clinical Services ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 8.3 Research .................................................................................................................................................................. 23 8.4 Publications and Presentations by Students and Alumni ....................................................................................... 25 8.5 MSc Research Projects ............................................................................................................................................ 27 9 Staff Development ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 10 Resources Statement ................................................................................................................................................... 29 10.1 Management and Administration ....................................................................................................................... 29 10.2 Lecturer Colleagues ............................................................................................................................................. 29 10.3 Premises .............................................................................................................................................................. 29 10.4 Accessibility ......................................................................................................................................................... 29 10.5 Facilities Maintenance and Development ........................................................................................................... 29 10.6 Library, Learning and Online Resources .............................................................................................................. 30 Appendix A: NSS Results .................................................................................................................................................... 32 Appendix B: Staff Activities ............................................................................................................................................... 34
Page 2 of 40
## **1 Executive Summary**
## **Strategy Review**
The NCA strategy is committed to supporting the NCA Charitable Objectives. The strategy is also committed to the delivery of excellence, to drive reputational value and ensure long term financial sustainability.
The implementation of strategy in 2023-24 was limited by organisational issues including the imminent retirement of the longstanding Principal, changes in academic faculty and programme leadership, and personal stresses on key colleagues in administration and management.
## **Performance Review**
Despite these challenges, the achievements of 2022-23 clearly demonstrate a highly committed and skilled staff base of academics, practitioners, and administrators.
## **UCO and AECC Merger**
Since November 2021, the NCA academic programmes were validated by the University College of Osteopathy (UCO). However, on 1 August this year, the University College of Osteopathy (UCO) and the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic AECC) merged to become the Health Sciences University.
Arrangements are in place for the continued validation of NCA academic programmes by the HSU, with continuity of reporting documentation, the validation process, and relationships with (UCO) colleagues.
## **Academic Programmes**
## **BSc Acupuncture:**
In 2023-24, we recruited 33 new students onto the BSc Acupuncture programme, spilt across full time (21 students) and part time (12 students) study options.
We are pleased that 22 students will graduate with a BSc Acupuncture this autumn, with the opportunity to progress as clinical practitioners and/or academics.
## **MSc Nutrition Science and Practice**
In 2023-24, we recruited 20 new students onto the Nutrition Access course, and ~~we~~ enrolled 15 students progressing from the Access course onto the MSc Nutrition Science and Practice programme.
We are pleased that 7 students will graduate with an MSc Nutrition Science and Practice this autumn, with the opportunity to progress as clinical practitioners and/or academics.
## **MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine**
In 2023-24, we recruited 12 new students onto the MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine programme.
We are pleased that 3 students will graduate with an MSc Nutrition Science and Practice this autumn, with the opportunity to progress as clinical practitioners and/or academics.
## **NSS Student Feedback**
Page 3 of 40
The NSS survey is completed by all final year BSc Acupuncture students, giving valuable feedback on the quality of their academic programme and their overall experience as a student at NCA.
NCA students registered exceptionally high levels of satisfaction for the quality of teaching (98.21), learning opportunities (92.86), assessment and feedback (92.86) and academic support (92.86), but lower levels of satisfaction for organisation and management (67.86), learning resources (85.71) and student voice (71.43).
These NSS scores are consistently higher than the scores in 2023 and are above the healthcare sector average.
## **Student Outcomes**
The Student Outcomes data measure institutional performance for student Continuation (with their qualification studies), Completion (of their qualification) and Progression (into professional employment or further studies).
The data is managed by the OfS and offers NCA performance data benchmarked with a minimum performance threshold, and an upper and lower percentage of statistical uncertainty. The available data presents the NCA position on Student Outcomes, between 2018-19 and 2021-22.
The BSc Acupuncture scores consistently higher than the OfS threshold for Continuation, Completion and Progression.
The MSc programmes (MSc Nutrition Science and Practice and MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine) both scored below the OfS threshold for Continuation and Progression, although this is due to the unreliability of the data generated by small student numbers.
## **Practitioner Hub**
The Practitioner Hub enables members to engage in lectures, open discussion groups, CPD opportunities and closed supervision groups.
Following a drop in subscribing members, and a recent review of the positioning and value of the Hub, the Hub will now be restructured to deliver an enhanced value proposition for subscribing members. Following approval of the new structure and enhanced value proposition for members, the Hub will be relaunched in November 2024.
## **Research**
Our Research Strategy delivers a strong research profile for NCA and is a significant contributor to our institutional reputation and the value of our qualifications. Currently, our status as an ‘uncapped fee’ provider with the OfS precludes us applying for research grants from UKRI and the Research Councils, and this limits our ability to develop high-impact research.
However, we are confident that we will be able to generate both commercial and academic research revenues from our research output, which is delivered by both staff and students. As such, we are keen to attract wider recognition for the quality and impact of our research, and to be involved in public and private funded research projects with a variety of stakeholders.
Our Clinical Outcomes Research and Audit project (CORA) gathers clinical outcomes data across the College’s teaching clinics using the Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP) questionnaire. This is shared
Page 4 of 40
with the research organisation Meaningful Measures (which owns and administers MYMOP) as part of an aggregated dataset made available to researchers for investigation of the effectiveness of our therapies.
The NCA Support for Publication (SfP) programme supports undergraduate and postgraduate students to publish the results of their research. The package includes support from a supervisor and the Research Ethics Committee, plus a small grant from the College, using legacy funds from the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chinese Medicine (for all students, not only those studying a form of TCM) to cover the costs of writing-up and peer review.
## **Teaching Clinics**
Three teaching clinics operate from the College: acupuncture, nutrition and Chinese herbal medicine. All clinics offer a high quality and professional service to the local community and beyond, at reduced rates. Patient surveys and feedback generally demonstrate a very high level of satisfaction including praise for the students, with occasional suggestions for improvement, which is acted on.
The Acupuncture clinics include the clinic in York, plus two new clinics that were opened in 2024, in Northwich, (southwest of Manchester) and Southwark in London. The Herbs clinic continues to run completely online, enabling patients to attend from all over the country. The Nutrition clinic remains a hybrid model where the supervisor and students are in York while clients can choose to attend in-person or online.
Our teaching clinics make an invaluable contribution to the training of our students as practitioners, and they enable us to meet one of our charitable objectives by providing treatment to members of the public with limited incomes.
## **Financial Review**
The 2023-24 accounts show a deficit of 10.2% of the NCA annual income.
The accounts for the previous year 2022-23 showed a slim margin of profitability at 0.1% of the NCA annual income, indicating early signs of post-covid recovery.
The accounts for the previous year 2021-22 show a deficit of 5.0% of the NCA annual income, at a time when most businesses and organisations were also struggling with the financial impact of covid.
Page 5 of 40
## **2 Preface: The Purpose of the College Annual Report**
This report is agreed by the College’s Board of Directors / Trustees at their Annual General Meeting. It then fulfils the following functions:
1. It is made available to the College’s stakeholders, including staff, students and patients.
2. It is made available to the public by publication on our website.
3. It is submitted to the Charity Commission, for whom it addresses their requirement for an annual report.
4. It is submitted to our University Partner, for whom it addresses their requirement for a Resources Statement.
5. It is submitted to the Accreditation Committee of the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board, for whom it addresses their requirement for an annual resource report.
6. It is submitted to the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission, for whom it addresses their requirement for an annual resource report.
7. It is submitted to the Accreditation Board of the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Association, for whom it addresses their requirement for an annual review report.
The College’s Financial Statements are submitted to Companies House annually. They include the executive summary from this report.
The College’s financial year runs from 1[st] July to 30[th] June. Those parts of this report which relate to academic matters apply to the academic year, which is taken to run from 1[st] August to 31[st] July.
## **3 Preface: The Requirements of the Professional Accrediting Bodies**
## **3.1 British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB)**
This report corresponds to the requirement for a financial report, which is ~~required~~ expected to include the following:
1. An account of actual expenditure deployed by the institution during the previous year to support student learning, e.g. resources spent on library, student IT access, classroom and clinic equipment
2. Detailed financial statement
3. Details of any current or future expenditure plans; commentary on any significant financial problems faced by the institution and / or programme, and how these are being addressed (Strategy Review; Financial Review;
4. Details of any changes that have taken place or are planned to take place in the staffing of the course, including the CVs of new staff
5. Details of any changes or planned changes in the physical location of the course
Details of any actual or planned changes in the clinical facilities available to staff or students or to the general public as patients
Details of any changes or planned changes in any other facilities and resources available to staff, students or patients.
Page 6 of 40
## **3.2 European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association**
This report corresponds to the requirement for an annual resource report, which is ~~t~~ o include the following:
1. Changes to institutional structure, personnel and roles
2. Examples of staff development undertaken by academic and clinical staff
3. Confirmation from the named correspondent that the course continues to be viable and that resources are available to underpin the continuation of the course for current and future student intakes (Section 6 Strategy Review; Section 7 Financial Review; Section 8 Strategic Planning; Appendix A: Financial Statements 2023-24)
## **3.3 Nutritional Therapy Education Commission**
This report corresponds to the requirement for an annual resource report, which is to include the following:
1. A commentary on any significant financial problems faced by the institution and/or course and how these are being addressed, along with details of any current or future expenditure plans
2. Details of any current or future expenditure plans (Section 8 Strategic Planning)
3. Details of any changes that have taken place or are planned to take place in the staffing of the course, including the CVs of new staff (Appendix B Academic Programme Monitoring Reports for BSc Acupuncture; MSc/PGDip Nutrition Science and Practice; MSc/PGDip Chinese Herbal Medicine)
4. Details of any changes or planned changes in the physical location of the course
5. Details of any changes or planned changes in the clinical facilities available to staff or students or to the general public as patients
6. Details of any changes or planned changes in any other facilities and resources available to staff, students or patients
7. An account of actual expenditure deployed by the institution or faculty during the previous year to support student learning, e.g. resources spent on library, student IT access, classroom or clinic equipment
8. Detailed financial statement and any related reports, in keeping with Essential Requirement (Section 6 Strategy Review; Section 7 Financial Review)
Page 7 of 40
## **4 The College’s Aims, Values and Charitable Objectives**
We aim to be a leading and pioneering establishment of educational excellence in the fields of traditional Chinese and Oriental medicine (acupuncture and herbal medicine) and nutrition, with a reputation for significant research activity.
## **Charitable Objectives**
Our charitable objectives are:
- To provide education and promote high standards of practice in the science and art of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition for the protection and benefit of the public, to be available to any suitably qualified person regardless of colour, class, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability provided such disability is compatible with the provision of safe and effective treatment;
- To provide for, promote and engage in investigation and research into the science and art of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition and to disseminate the results of research;
- To encourage the progress of and to improve standards of education and practice in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and nutrition by providing post-graduate education for practitioners;
- To provide education in and treatment with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition and other complementary therapies at preferential charges for members of the public regardless of race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability where members of the public would otherwise be deprived of education and/or treatment by reason of financial hardship.
## **Values**
We aim to be a person-centred, progressive, sustainable community embodying integrity and quality.
- **Person-centred:** Compassion and respect at the heart of everything we do.
- **Quality:** A centre of professional, clinical, educational and research excellence.
- **Progressive:** Striving to move forward and open to creative change, respecting traditional and modern approaches.
- **Sustainable:** Growing our future in a reflective, sustainable way: environmentally, clinically and financially.
- **Community:** Working with common goals and values, connected to wider communities.
- **Integrity:** Creating an open, honest, ethical and reflective environment.
## **We approach our work with:**
- Encouragement for everyone to develop their own style of practice, drawing on a diverse repertoire of approaches and techniques.
- A combination of intellectual rigour and critical thinking with compassion, skill and the broad development of the practitioner.
- Mutual respect among all at the College.
## **We believe that:**
- Chinese medicine and nutrition have the potential to heal and transform at all levels of body and mind.
- Students are our future and the future of the profession. They are at the centre of our work.
- The education of students and practitioners is a holistic activity, involving values, spirit, mind and body.
- Open-minded investigation and research by practitioners are essential to the future vitality of the traditions of Chinese medicine and nutrition.
Page 8 of 40
- Learning is a life-long activity - we aim to foster an ethos of reflective and continuous professional development.
We serve students, staff, practitioners, patients and clients, and ultimately the general public, by providing an environment and ethos that promotes the study and practice of acupuncture, Chinese medicine and nutrition. To achieve this, we:
- Set high standards for clinical, academic and professional excellence, with robust quality assurance and strong academic support and pastoral care.
- Provide regular formative feedback to students and staff to enable continuing development and the confidence to practise in an effective, professional and reflective way.
Page 9 of 40
## **5 Institutional Structure and Policy**
## **5.1 Nature of the Charity**
The College’s governing document is its memorandum and articles of association. It is a limited company (2400056) and a registered charity (1081184).
The College is registered by the Office for Students (OfS), which is the regulatory body for Higher Education (HE) in England, established by Act of Parliament. All registered HE providers are regulated by the OfS and must meet a set of regulatory requirements. Registration confers access to student support funding for our students. Our provider number is 10004740.
The College’s Trustees are also its Directors. The Chief Executive Officer is the Principal, Emma Heathcote (appointed 16[th] Sept 2024). The exiting Principal was Richard Blackwell (retired on 20[th] Sept 2024)
## **5.2 Organisational Structure – Boards and Committees**
The relationships between the boards and committees of the Northern College of Acupuncture can be illustrated as follows:
- Overall responsibility for governance rests with the Board of Directors/Trustees.
- The Academic Board is responsible for all decisions on academic policy.
This structure and the membership of our Boards and Committees ensure that both College staff and students have substantial input into our decision-making processes. The Academic Board, Boards of Study and Health & Safety Committee are all attended by student representatives. The Board of Directors/Trustees
Page 10 of 40
and Ethics Committee are attended by public interest representatives. The Academic Board is advised by experienced external academics.
All formal meetings have agendas and are minuted. Some informal enhancement or management meetings are recorded with simple action points.
## **5.3 The Board of Directors / Trustees**
## **Helen Thomas (Chair)**
Helen is a freelance education consultant with over 25 years’ experience in higher education. She has extensive experience in quality management and enhancement, professional standards in teaching and learning, and accreditation and validation processes.
## **Nicholas Haines**
Nick was co-founder of the College. He is an entrepreneur, international speaker, author, strategist, teacher in Chinese energetics, the creator of the Vitality Test and co-founder of the Five Institute **,** and a Kindness Ambassador. He has experience as an acupuncturist and owner of a complementary therapies clinic.
## **David Jay**
David is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a former Company Accountant, Financial Director and small business owner.
## **Graham Webb**
Graham runs a marketing sales and management training business. He was previously a Senior Lecturer and Manager in both HE and FE. He has worked in IT and at BBC TV and radio and has extensive marketing experience in commercial settings. He is also a Director/Trustee of The Educational Trust and member of the Academic Advisory panel of a Dubai university.
## **Kate Wicklow**
Kate is an experienced member of the HE policy community with extensive experience with a variety of providers and a focus on the experience, needs and rights of students. She is currently a Policy Manager for GuildHE and a reviewer for the QAA. She is also a trustee of a London university’s student union.
## **Eric Liu**
Eric has extensive commercial experience in China and the UK, including negotiation, financial modelling, market research and business strategy. He is currently a Business Associate at a Boutique Healthcare Corporate Advisory Firm.
## **Harriet Lansdown**
Harriet is an acupuncturist who has been extensively involved in acupuncture research and acupuncture education in the HE sector, as a teacher, course leader, external examiner and educational consultant. Most recently, she was lead accreditation officer for the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board.
Board meetings are also attended by the Principal. Other members of the management team may be invited to attend for relevant agenda items, as appropriate.
**Changes to the Board:**
During 2023-24 Tiago da Silva left the Board.
## **5.4 Stakeholder Relationships**
We are an independent College operating in the Higher Education sector.
## **Guild HE**
Page 11 of 40
We are a member of Guild HE, which is an officially recognised representative body for UK Higher Education. Guild HE aims to be the advocate of choice for smaller and specialist higher education institutions and its members include universities, university colleges, further education colleges and specialist institutions from both the traditional and private (“not for profit” and “for profit”) sectors. Member institutions include major providers in professional subject areas including art, design and media, music and the performing arts; agriculture and food; education; business and law, the built environment; health and sports.
## **Health Sciences University (HSU)**
In 2023-24 we provided the following courses:
- BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture
- MSc/PGDip in Nutrition Science and Practice
- MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine
All of these courses were validated by our validating partner, the University College of Osteopathy (UCO), which merged with the Anglo-European Chiropractic College to become the Health Sciences University (HSU) in August 2024. This means that students whose completed awards were approved by the Assessment Boards before the end of July 2024, received their degree from UCO, and students who completed awards after that, received their degree from HSU.
Our Quality Assurance is delivered in collaboration with our validating partner. Formal quality assurance feedback is given at the Assessment Boards and Boards of Study, and our validating partner appoints external examiners for each of our courses. There is also a substantial process of regular reviews, including annual monitoring reports and periodic major reviews/re-validations. The College and our validating partner each appoint a link tutor to ensure a good flow of communications.
## **5.5 Accrediting Organisations**
## **British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB)**
The College’s acupuncture courses were re-accredited in 2019-2020 by BAAB, following a successful reaccreditation review. Our next re-accreditation review will be due in 2026. As a result of our accredited status, students who are awarded the BSc in Acupuncture are eligible to apply for membership of the professional body, the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC).
Page 12 of 40
## **European Herbal Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (EHTPA) Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM)**
Renewal of accreditation of our course in Chinese herbal medicine by the Accreditation Board of the EHTPA also took place successfully in 2019-20. Our next re-accreditation will be in 2025. As a result of our accredited status, students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine, or the taught part (first two years) of the Master of Science in Chinese Herbal Medicine, are eligible to apply for membership of the professional body, the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).
## **Nutritional Therapy Education Commission (NTEC) Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)**
Successful re-accreditation of our MSc in Nutrition Science and Practice by the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission was confirmed in 2022. Re-accreditation is normally valid for a period of three years. Accredited status means that students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma Nutrition Science and Practice or the taught part (first two years) of the Master of Science in Nutrition Science and Practice, are eligible to apply for registration by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and for membership of the professional body, the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT).
Each of the accrediting organisations receives our annual course monitoring reports.
The BAAB and EHTPA conduct an annual review process and respond to our annual course monitoring reports. In addition, the BAAB, EHTPA and NTEC conduct substantial processes of major review/reaccreditation every 3 to 6 years.
The British Acupuncture Council and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council are recognised by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, which is accountable to parliament. The registers of these bodies are approved by the Authority as Accredited Voluntary Registers. This means that the public can be further assured that these bodies meet high standards in governance, standard-setting, education and training, management, complaints and information. Members of approved registers can use the Authority’s kite-mark.
## **6 Strategy Review**
The NCA strategy is committed to supporting the NCA Charitable Objectives. The strategy is also committed to the delivery excellence, to drive reputational value and ensure long term financial sustainability.
The implementation of strategy in 2023-24 has been limited by an out-dated organisational structure, which has struggled to keep pace with the rapidly developing economic and regulatory environment. Insufficient management data has not enabled visibility of the external environment and has impacted on the clarity of decision-making. This has led to inconsistences in the structure and administration of finances, resourcing and staffing.
These issues have progressively impacted on the financial health of the NCA and particularly so in 2023-24, which closed with a significant deficit, reducing financial reserves and limiting future investment.
The NCA is committed to developing a clear strategic direction to clear the deficit and support the organisation’s Charitable Objectives and continue to deliver quality and value to students, patients, staff and external stakeholders.
Page 13 of 40
## **7 Financial Review**
## **7.1 Financial Strategy**
## **Financial Strategy**
The 2023-24 accounts show a deficit of £112,391, which is 10.2% of the NCA annual turnover of £1,099,978.
The accounts for the previous year 2022-23 showed a slim margin of profitability at 0.1% of annual turnover, indicating early signs of post-covid recovery.
The accounts for the previous year 2021-22 show a deficit of 5.0% of the annual turnover, at a time when most other businesses and organisations around the world were also struggling with the financial impact of covid. However, unlike the NCA, these businesses and organisations were planning for financial recovery and investing in asset development to ‘future-proof’ their businesses and stabilise their markets. These developments included the implementation of robust risk-management systems, updating operational models and IT systems, and investing in the delivery of services to customers, to secure routes to market.
What is noticeable from the NCA accounts in recent years, is the lack of investment in asset development. A review of the NCA Balance Sheet over recent years shows that the NCA has not made any substantial investment to identify and mitigate risks in the external environment, and to secure a credible, competitive and sustainable position in the higher education market.
It is also noticeable that the NCA has for many years relied upon a basic financial strategy of breaking even, using a review of the ‘Profit and Loss’ (P&L) account to consider financial performance, and retrospectively, the impacts of market volatility.
## **P&L Account and the Balance Sheet**
For 2023-24, the P&L account showed a turnover of £1,099,978, of which £1,003,603 (91%) was generated from tuition fee income of taught awards.
Of the total expenditure in 2023-24, staffing costs totalled £556,866 (45.9%), lecturers’ fees totalled 226,678 (18.7%), university registration fees totalled £67,127 (5.5%), accreditation and validation totalled £47,058 (3.9%), building rental totalled £55,000 (4.5%), and travel and accommodation costs totalled £20,576 (1.7%). As such, the estimated staffing costs associated with the operations of the NCA and the delivery of academic programmes, is approx. £783,544 (64.6%).
The P&L account for 2023-24 shows an operational loss of £112,391, which has been reconciled using reserved funds
There is a need to invest in the development of assets at the NCA, including existing and new curriculum development; research; pedagogy and delivery; strategic and financial management; data management, analysis and insight; enhancing the academic value proposition to attract and retain academic excellence; and enhancing quality of the student experience.
The depletion of the NCA reserve funds to reconcile the operational loss this year, and to maintain a credible and fully costed student protection plan, limits the scope for investment in business-critical services. This means that we will need to generate existing operational resource, at a time when we will be working to reduce our overall operational expenditure.
Page 14 of 40
We anticipate that initial investment will further increase the level of deficit in the P&L accounts in the shortterm, and we will need to accept that realising our return on proposed investments, may take years to impact on profitability.
## **Tuition Fees and Student Loans**
Although the NCA has uncapped fee registration status with the OfS, the tuition fees for the BSc Acupuncture were held at the capped fee rate of £9,250 p/a in 2023-24, enabling both full time and part time students to access student loans. Eligible full-time students were able to apply for a partial tuition fee loan of £6,165 to part cover the full-time annual tuition fee, whereas eligible part time students were able to apply for a tuition fee loan of £4,625, to cover the entire part time annual tuition fee.
For the MSc Nutrition Science and Practice, eligible students were able to apply for a tuition fee loan up to the value of 62% of the total 3-year p/t tuition fee, and for the MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine, eligible students were able to apply for a tuition fee loan, up to the value of 74% of the total 3-year p/t tuition fee.
Due to maintaining OfS uncapped tuition fee status in 2023-24, the NCA was not eligible to benefit from OfS grant funding to support teaching and learning, or to access research funding opportunities available through UKRI and the research councils.
## **7.1.1 Student Recruitment and Retention**
Over recent years, the NCA has experienced higher than expected drop-out rates for student progression and course completion.
As a reference, our average drop-out rates from starting an academic programme in Year 1 to completing an academic programme in Year 3 or Year 4, were 33.0% for the full time BSc Acupuncture, 43.1% for the part time BSc Acupuncture, 49.2% for MSc Nutrition Science and Practice, and 31.1% for MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Across the higher education sector, it is recognised that there is an increasing need to strengthen student support services. It is within this context that the NCA is committing increased resourcing to support our students. Furthermore, these drop-out rates are being used to inform a risk profile for student recruitment planning and financial forecasting. We will also use this information to inform our admissions policy, our entry requirements and our assessment of the needs and support requirements of applicant students.
Improving quality throughout our recruitment and admissions policies and procedures, may result in an increased financial deficit in the short-term, whilst contributing to the financial and reputational sustainability in the long-term.
Page 15 of 40
## **8 Activities during the year in relation to our charitable objectives**
## **8.1 Education**
## **BSc Acupuncture**
Following a period of uncertainty due to changes in the leadership of the BSc Acupuncture, the appointment of a new Course Director has brought valuable leadership and stability to the programme, including stability in academic resourcing and teaching staff, and a vision for future developments and improvements. Ahigh number of students will graduate with a first-class honours degree this year, which is testimony to the skills and expertise of the teaching team.
The change of faculty leadership, the turnover of academic colleagues, and further senior leadership changes within the College, have inevitably been unsettling for both colleagues and students. Despite the challenges in succession management and managing student expectations, the appointment of new permanent academic colleagues, a first for the college, presents an exciting opportunity to bring about timely change and exciting programme developments.
Furthermore, as 2025 is a reaccreditation and validation year for the college, this provides an opportunity to explore major changes to the course. These ideas are currently being developed in partnership with our key stakeholders, work that is acknowledged within the faculty as being essential and presenting an exciting opportunity for the acupuncture degree to stretch its boundaries, appeal and demographic reach. The year is starting with new staff, new energy and new focus and promises to be a defining year.
## **MSc Nutrition Science and Practice**
The 2023-2024 academic year for the MSc Nutrition Science and Practice programme was characterised by substantial shifts in both leadership and program structure, leading to important accomplishments, while also presenting challenges for the team.
One of the major developments was the transition in programme leadership, as the existing Course Director retired from the role. The appointment of an experienced Course Director introduced a much-needed sense of stability and reassurance for the students, and this has been a key positive outcome. Under the new leadership, there has been a focussed effort to enhance student involvement and foster better communication channels. The restructuring of communication processes allowed for more direct student feedback, ensuring the voices of the students were not only heard but actively integrated into the programme’s future direction. Looking ahead, a clear vision for the development of the programme has emerged, promising exciting academic advancements for students and academic faculty alike.
The 2023-24 Annual Review for the programme was successful and the PGDip / MSc in Nutrition Science and Practice has now been fully accredited until May 2025. The reaccreditation of the course is a testament to the team’s commitment to maintaining academic standards and excellence. Despite these achievements, there were also some challenges for the programme this year. A notable difficulty was the decision not to recruit to Year 1 in 2024-25, due to low student enrolment in 2023-24. This decision caused some unease among the student body and resulted in a period of uncertainty. As a result of this decision, students enrolled on the Access course, due to run earlier in 2024, had to be withdrawn and have their fees refunded. Furthermore, the loss of some key academic and practitioner colleagues, also impacted on the programme.
Page 16 of 40
In response to these challenges, the NCA has now appointed a strong team of well qualified teaching colleagues, all of whom are committed to delivering a high-quality learning and research experience for students. The team has focussed on shifting from a predominantly in-person teaching model, to a blended learning model, featuring both face-to-face and online delivery, and introducing wide variation in the learning activities. This is not only in line with contemporary pedagogy but also enables access to the programme from a wider demographic student market. This shift promises to attract a more diverse range of students and create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
As the nutritio ~~n~~ team looks forward to the coming years, the transition to a more flexible online model holds great promise for enhancing student satisfaction and expanding the programme’s reach. The team is wellpositioned to work with key stakeholders, to thrive in the changing educational landscape, and to offer an increasingly accessible, high quality learning experience.
## **MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine**
The MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine is one of the most comprehensive Chinese herbal medicine programmes in the UK and is available to international students since it is delivered exclusively online. It is currently the only academic qualification in Chinese herbal medicine in the UK, that is EHTPA accredited.
In 2023, the programme recruited 18 new students, however attrition was much higher than expected and only 13 students completed the year and progressed to Y2. T ~~he~~ final year students completed their research projects, with two graduating with merit and distinction awards. The programme has generated good feedback from students, particularly in relation to the delivery of real-time online clinic supervision.
As the programme currently only recruits in alternate years, the next recruitment year will be 2025. This offers an ideal opportunity to refresh the curriculum during 2024-25, particularly the curriculum areas relating to gynaecology and herb-drug interactions, and plant science, which will require additional investment.
## **8.1.1 Admission of Students**
|**Course**|**Number of Students**|
|---|---|
|BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture|**33**|
|PG Diploma in Nutrition Science & Practice|**1**|
|MSc in Nutrition Science and Practice|**11**|
|PG Diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine|**5**|
|MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine|**13**|
## **8.1.2 Graduation of Students**
|Undergraduate
Course|Total
Completions|1st|2:1|2:2|3rd|Ordinary
Degree|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BSc (Hons) in
Acupuncture|21|6|12|3|0|0|
One student exited early with a DipHE in Chinese Health Studies. Seven students exited early with a CertHE in Chinese Health Studies.
Page 17 of 40
|Postgraduate
Courses|Total
Completions|Distinction
(MSc only)|Merit
(MSc only)|Pass (MSc
or PGDip)|Exited
early with
PGDip|Exited
early with
PGCert|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|MSc in Nutrition
Science and
Practice|7|2|4|1|4|0|
|MSc in Chinese
Herbal Medicine|3|1|1|1|0|0|
|MSc in Advanced
Oriental Medicine
(Research and
Practice)|2|0|2|0|0|0|
|MSc in Advanced
Complementary
Medicine (Research
and Practice)|1|0|1|0|0|0|
|MSc in Advanced
Nutrition (Research
and Practice)|1|0|0|1|0|0|
## **8.1.3 National Student Survey**
The NSS survey is sent to all final year undergraduate students but does not include postgraduate degree students. As such, only final year undergraduate students on the BSc Acupuncture were surveyed.
Our **2024** response rate was:
|NCA response rate|**70%**||
|---|---|---|
|Healthcare sector average response rate|**72%**||
||||
*NCA does not have a student union, so it is assumed that the students are commenting on their cohort student representatives.
Compared with the scores for 2022-23, NCA scores for 2023-2024 showed a higher level of satisfaction for 12 out of the 26 questions, and a lower level of satisfaction for 10 of the questions (although 6 of these were within two percentage points of 2023). NCA scores were higher than the sector average for 21 of the questions, out of 26.
Compared to last year, notable improvements in the level of student satisfaction are seen in response to questions relating to academic support, fairness in marking and assessment, clarity in marking criteria, and quality of academic feedback.
The most notable declines in levels of student satisfaction were for questions relating to the communication of changes to teaching, and issues related to valuing student opinions, the communication of mental wellbeing support available, and acting upon student feedback. These are also the areas where we scored below the sector averages. This is probably a result of staff changes and the hiatus between the previous Course Director leaving and the new Course Director starting.
The rating for IT resources and facilities to support student learning also showed lower levels of satisfaction compared to last year, although we already have plans in place to upgrade both our technology and our staff skills, to deliver enhanced capability to students.
Page 18 of 40
See Appendix A for further details.
## **8.1.4 Registration with the Office for Students**
We maintained our registration as an Approved Provider (uncapped fees) with the Office for Students (OfS), the statutory higher education regulator in England. As such, we continue to submit regulatory reports and annual returns.
Our registration enables our undergraduate students to access both tuition fee loans and maintenance loans, and our postgraduate students to access tuition fee loans. This also enables our part-time undergraduate students studying for a second undergraduate degree, to access tuition fee loans.
## **8.1.5 Statistical Submissions**
We subscribe to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and annually submit statistical returns, which describe our student population.
## **8.1.6 Graduate Outcomes Survey (latest data available 2022-23)**
## **Student Outcomes**
The Student Outcomes data measures institutional performance for student Continuation (with their qualification studies), Completion (of their qualification) and Progression (into professional employment or further studies).
The data is managed by the OfS and offers NCA performance data benchmarked with a minimum performance threshold, and an upper and lower percentage of statistical uncertainty.
The available data presents the NCA position on Student Outcomes, between 2018-19 and 2021-22.
The BSc Acupuncture scores consistently higher than the OfS threshold for Continuation, Completion and Progression.
However, the MSc programmes (MSc Nutrition Science and Practice and MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine) score below the OfS threshold for Continuation and Progression, with no data available for Completion.
## **Continuation (continuing their qualification studies)**
## **BSc Taught Undergraduate Degrees:**
86.4% (OfS benchmark 80%) with 2.0% below the OfS threshold and 98.0% above the OfS threshold.
## **MSc Taught Postgraduate Degrees**
52.5% (OfS benchmark 65%) with 98.9% below the OfS threshold and 1.1% above the OfS threshold.
Page 19 of 40
## **Completion (higher education qualification)**
## **BSc Taught Undergraduate Degrees:**
82.1% (OfS benchmark 75%) with 3.1% below the OfS threshold and 96.9% above the OfS threshold.
## **MSc Taught Postgraduate Degrees**
No data available.
## **Progression (professional employment or further study)**
## **BSc Taught Undergraduate Degrees:**
88.2% (OfS benchmark 60%) with 0.0% below the OfS threshold and 100% above the OfS threshold.
## **MSc Taught Postgraduate Degrees**
84.6% (OfS benchmark 85%) with 54.8% below the OfS threshold and 45.2% above the OfS threshold.
For further information, please click Student outcomes: Data dashboard - Office for Students.
## **8.1.7 Marketing and Recruitment**
We continued to implement our marketing strategy and to monitor the external environment. The marketing strategy is developed by the Marketing Manager with input from the Principal and the Recruitment and Marketing Working Group (which includes three of our trustees). It is approved annually by the Board of Trustees/Directors. The Board also receives regular marketing updates throughout the year.
Our good reputation and our relationship building activities make an important contribution to the development of our social media profile and recruitment marketing communications.
## **8.1.8 IT Developments**
We continue to streamline processes and develop our CMS, so it remains fit-for-purpose. Updates to computer hardware and teaching room equipment have been made. Notable improvements include the redevelopment of our online course applications, which have been replaced with Jotform. This integration streamlines the application and admission phase, meaning that data entered by applicants to our courses goes directly into Salesforce, our Student Information System, rather than relying on manual staff data entry.
We signed up to Cliniko as part of a phased replacement of our clinic systems. This will allow us to move away from Acuity, and to incorporate software that can be used both for bookings, as well as reporting for research purposes.
We also rolled out Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to all users for improved student and staff cyber security.
Page 20 of 40
## **8.1.9 Academic Enhancement**
We report on enhancement activities in relation to each of our courses in the annual Course Monitoring Reports for each course. In addition, the Academic Board works to identify overall themes for college-wide enhancement. Currently these are:
1. Improve help for students on academic writing and study skills.
2. Improve early identification and effective communication of student support needs.
3. Enhance suggested reading lists.
4. Improve student engagement with their studies
5. Review student workload
6. Review balance of online and in-person teaching
These enhancement themes are recorded and monitored in our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). For each of these areas the Academic Board identifies specific actions which are documented and monitored in the QIP. Good progress is being made in each of these areas.
## **8.1.10 Student Support**
We undertook further work to improve our information sharing and pro-active response in relation to student support needs. In particular, we created a new role of Student Support Officer and appointed a staff member with considerable knowledge and experience of supporting students with specific learning differences. We also further refined our new system for identifying needs and concerns, responding in a timely manner, tracking outcomes and sharing support information (with consent) with key staff.
## **8.1.11 Provision for CPD and Alumni – the Practitioner Hub**
The Practitioner Hub was launched in early 2021. This review covers some of our achievements of 2023/2024 and looks at our aims for the next year as well as offering a short update on our staff team.
Our membership aims to:
1. Encourage community by providing a safe space for professional and personal growth. We aim to counter professional isolation with a sense of connectedness and belonging.
2. Provide inspiring CPD content.
3. Online subscription service for closed supervision groups, to explore issues such as building a practice, boundaries, payment, relationships with patients, and working to avoid burnout.
Membership of the Hub is currently:
- 41 Essential Members
- 13 Staff Members
- 1 discounted Membership
- 7 free Members (Membership is often given as a prize)
- 13 Staff Members
We “closed” the doors to the membership in the summer, and plan to relaunch in November 2024 with a specific focus on business support for new and experienced practitioners.
Page 21 of 40
## **Supervision**
One of our two supervisors left our supervisor team in May 2024 due to health issues. Sadly, with her, we also lost several of our ‘Total Members’ who were part of her supervision groups from the beginning. Our second supervisor’s supervision group numbers also declined, and we paused all supervision groups in Spring. We now have a group of 5 practitioners starting supervision in September with our second supervisor.
## **In-person Courses**
The CPD events for 23-24 were:
- Assisted Conception with Hannah Pearn (November 23) - 2-day workshop,14 places sold.
- Qi Gong with Peter Deadman (April 24) - 1-day workshop, sold 27 tickets.
- We ran a free webinar with John Jaarsveld ahead of a planned in-person event in August. The webinar was well attended and gathered more people onto our mailing list. Unfortunately, there were no sign-ups for the in-person event.
- We ran a free webinar in July with Anthony Von Der Muhll who will be leading a training day in September. The webinar was well attended and gathered more people onto our mailing list.
## **Hugh MacPherson Memorial Lecture**
We continue to build our global connections through our annual online Hugh MacPherson Memorial lecture which currently has over 300 people on the mailing list who are spread widely around the world. This is also an opportunity to celebrate and support the field of acupuncture research as well as maintaining the NCA’s place on the global stage.
The 2023 lecture was presented by Terje Alræk and Stephen Birch. Approximately 60 people attended the live lecture and to date 4 people have watched the recording.
## **Alumni**
Our marketing team have been working on collating an alumni list that goes back to 2017. Currently, there are plans to open membership of the Hub to new graduates at the graduation ceremony in November.
## **Chinese Medicine Nutrition Diploma**
We launched the Chinese Medicine Nutrition Diploma in October 2023 with an initial cohort of 23 students. Twenty students completed the diploma and one deferred to the 24/25 cohort
The Diploma was a resounding success with high levels of student engagement and participation. Feedback praised the distinctive aspects of this course, including:
- Live cooking demonstrations with the option to cook along with an expert chef
- Varied teaching team with core teachers and a selection of guest experts
- A syllabus that weaves together contemporary nutrition and traditional East Asian medicinal theory
## **Practitioner Hub**
There have been several staff changes in 23-24 for The Practitioner Hub. Two support staff left, and we appointed a co-lead of the Hub who previously worked in the Nutrition team as Clinic Lead and Assistant
Page 22 of 40
Course Director for the MSc Nutrition Science and Practice. Our new co-lead has extensive experience in course creation and delivery, student support, and administration.
## **8.2 Clinical Services**
Three teaching clinics operate from the College: acupuncture, nutrition and Chinese herbal medicine. All clinics offer a high quality and professional service to the local community and beyond, with professional treatment at reduced rates. Patient surveys and feedback generally demonstrate a very high level of satisfaction including praise for the students, with occasional suggestions for improvement, which is acted on.
The acupuncture clinics currently run Monday to Friday, with seven experienced acupuncture practitioners providing clinical supervision. Feedback from students on the quality of their experience in clinic is consistently very good. A multibed clinic runs on Mondays, with two supervisors and up to 16 patients being seen, and the main clinic has one supervisor with up to eight patients attending per day. Our acupuncture clinics remain busy with small waiting lists. As of July 2024, the Saturday clinic closed to allow the supervisor to move to the new teaching clinic in Northwich. This clinic will be closer to the students on the west side of the country. A clinic is also opening in Southwark in 2024 to increase student recruitment from those close to London.
The herbs clinic continues to run completely online enabling patients to attend from all over the country, with two clinics and eight patients seen in total per week. Patient numbers are kept to four per day to allow time for students to discuss, reflect and learn from each case. There is always a waiting list for the herbs clinic, due to the excellent reduced rates, referrals from local practitioners, and students on the acupuncture course wanting to experience this side of Chinese Medicine for themselves.
The nutrition clinic remains a hybrid model where the supervisor and students are in college while clients can choose to attend in-person or online. As with the herbs clinic, patient numbers are kept to four per day to allow time for students to discuss, reflect and learn from each case.
During the financial year (1 Jul 23 – 30 Jun 24) the numbers of filled appointments were:
- Acupuncture Main clinic = 1243
- Acupuncture Multibed = 523
- Herbs clinic = 279
- Nutrition clinic = 95
The clinics provided 5.4% of our total income (2023: 5.1%), reflecting the return to more normal services and the high levels of demand, following the covid years.
Our teaching clinics make a valuable contribution to the training of our students as practitioners, and they enable us to meet one of our charitable objectives by providing treatment to members of the public with limited incomes.
## **8.3 Research**
## **NCA Research Strategy**
Our Research Strategy was reviewed and revised in 23-24, to align with our strategic objectives and focus on five areas of activity. The strategy is available on our public-facing website, increasing the College’s research profile and giving our research activities a visible target.
Page 23 of 40
There is an ongoing issue for the College in that research, while a key part of our activities, does not represent a direct revenue stream and in fact (in revenue terms) operates only as a negative on the overall College balance sheet. While we actively market our research profile as part of our USPs within our subject areas and to that extent may consider research an indirect contributor to revenue streams, our status as an Approved (no fee cap) Provider precludes us applying for many research grants.
As such, we cannot easily attract the commercial and academic research revenue streams or public recognition for which government-financed universities are eligible; instead, for major research projects, we currently rely on collaborations with larger Universities. With this in mind, particularly at a time of financial vulnerability and uncertain levels of recruitment, we have focused on the teaching of appropriate research skills for our pre-qualifying courses. This strategy protects our research objectives while continuing to build the skills base in our therapeutic professions and enhancing student learning opportunities.
## **Research Project Modules**
The redesigned research project modules in the third year of the MSc courses ran for the fourth year. Students produce a mix of outputs including a reflective research diary, a poster and a journal article which forms the basis of a submission for publication soon after final marks are confirmed.
## **Clinical Outcomes Research and Audit**
Our Clinical Outcomes Research and Audit project (CORA) gathers clinical outcomes data across the College’s teaching clinics using the Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP) questionnaire. This is shared with the research organisation Meaningful Measures (which owns and administers MYMOP) as part of an aggregated dataset made available to researchers for investigation of the effectiveness of our therapies. We have continued for the third year using the MYMOP Digital Portal in our acupuncture teaching clinic.
The CORA audit for the acupuncture and nutrition clinics for the 2022-23 year is available on our public-facing website. Data largely supports previous findings on clinical outcomes (broadly, both clinics effect a significant change over a typical course of treatment). Comparisons between the different acupuncture clinics reveal significant differences in data collection practice, which are being monitored and improved for the coming academic year. Audit of the 23-24 year will take place in the autumn of 2024.
## **Patient Experience Survey (PATEX)**
All patients in our clinics are contacted at the close of a course of treatment (or at six weeks, whichever is earlier) to request completion of our PATEX survey. This is an online form (paper versions are also available) with a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions on all aspects of the NCA clinic and our patients’ experience with this. The survey was designed and an initial mailout carried out in August 2024. Analysis and reporting will take place in the autumn of each year.
## **NCA Research Showcase and Student Research Directory**
Both the Research Showcase and the Student Research Directory were discontinued in the 23-24 academic year due to lack of resources.
## **Support for Publication**
The Support for Publication (SfP) programme supports undergraduate and postgraduate students to publish the results of their research. The package includes support from a supervisor and the Research Ethics Committee, plus a small grant from the College, using legacy funds from the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chinese Medicine (for all students, not only those studying a form of TCM) to cover the costs of writing-up and peer review. During the 23-24 academic year, six students applied and were accepted onto the SfP programme (1 Nutrition, 3 Online MSc, 2 Herbs).
## **Research with affiliated organisations**
The Sessions of Acupuncture and Nutritional Therapy Evaluation for Atrial Fibrillation (Santé-AF) feasibility study, a small-scale randomised controlled trial, came to a close. Santé-AF is the PhD project of our Research
Page 24 of 40
Director, carried out with the oversight of the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of York and the support of the NIHR Clinical Research Network. The trial has now published its findings, which can be read and downloaded at https://www.sante-af.org/trial-progress/and-finally-the-results/.
## **Doctorate Award**
Our Research Director, Karen Charlesworth, has now been awarded her doctorate, and this is aiding the exploration of work with partner organisations as well as lending support to a redesign of our research skills teaching, learning and assessment strategy.
## **Collaborative Research Activities**
We are currently involved in a number of potential projects with partner organisations. These include:
- **Chocolate & Co / York St John University substance use rehabilitation café.** This project proposes to work with a local café that is staffed and attended by rehabilitating substance users, training baristas to apply ear magnets to auricular acupuncture points.
- **Leeds University trial of nanomolecular lotion in acupuncture practice.** This collaboration, with Professor of Nanotechnology Li Jing Ke and colleagues including our nutrition graduate Vicky Richardson, seeks to explore the ways in which acupuncturists incorporate into practice a new nanotech lotion that potentiates acupuncture points; the study will also consider the patient experience.
- **The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, and Southampton University Clinical Trials Unit: ACUFOCIN 2 trial.** The ACUFOCIN 2 project is a large-scale trial of acupuncture for the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, currently at the design and funding stage. Our research director plays an advisory role in the trial, and the funding application includes an allocation of time for the College to collaborate with academic and NHS colleagues on both the main trial and a nested sub-study on patient and practitioner experience of the treatment.
## **8.3.1 Staff Activities**
Many of our academic colleagues at NCA make a valuable contribution to both professional bodies and the HE sector, through their scholarly and research activities (Appendix B).
## **8.4 Publications and Presentations by Students and Alumni**
**Brass, M. & Charlesworth, K. (2024)** Evaluating the Outcomes and Patient Experience of Group and Individual Acupuncture in an NHS Cancer Care Setting: A Mixed Methods Study. Supportive Care in Cancer (in press)
**Cleminson, C. & Charlesworth, K. (2024)** Has the quality of evidence for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with acupuncture improved since 2019? A narrative literature review. European Journal of Oriental Medicine (in press)
**Graca, S., Huemer, M., de Valois, B., Vang, B. and McClure, L. (2024)** “Are we there yet?” – Green shoots of progress in acupuncture implementation in healthcare. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 69:102371
Page 25 of 40
**He, H. & Charlesworth, K. (2024)** Does an acupuncture treatment with five minutes’ needle retention time have an equivalent effect to 30 minutes in migraine prophylaxis? Proposal for a randomised controlled trial. European Journal of Oriental Medicine (in press)
**Charlesworth, K., Torgerson, D. and Watson, J. (2024)** Sessions of Acupuncture and Nutritional Therapy Evaluation for Atrial Fibrillation (Santé-AF): a randomised feasibility study. Journal of Pilot & Feasibility Studies (in press)
**Giese, N., Kwon, K. K., Armour, M. (2023) Acupuncture for endometriosis:** A systematic review and metaanalysis. Integrative Medicine Research, 12 (4): 101003
## **Presentations:**
- **Mandy Brass.** Presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024 and the British Acupuncture Council conference 2023:
- Evaluating the outcomes and patient experience of group and individual acupuncture in and NHS cancer care setting: a mixed methods study. **Winner of the George Lewith Prize for Research into Complementary Medicine in the NHS**
- **Dr Karen Charlesworth.** Presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: "Thursday afternoon in clinic": Why complementary therapies are truly complex interventions, and possible strategies for investigational research.
- **Dr Karen Charlesworth** . Poster presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Acupuncture or nutritional therapy for atrial fibrillation: a mixed methods case series.
- **Kirsten Chick** . Poster presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Mushrooms, Gut Microbiota and Cancer: a scoping review with qualitative synthesis.
- **Jennefer D’Aubyn.** Poster presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Nutritional interventions for long-COVID: a systematic quantitative literature review. **Winner of RCCM Conference Award for Best Poster Presentation**
- **Thomas Lewis.** Presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Being Treated in an Open Setting Reminds Us That We All Have Problems: Experiences and Self-Reported Clinical Outcomes of Service-Users in a Multi-Bed Acupuncture Teaching Clinic. This study was undertaken as part of Thomas’s final year MBChB studies at the University of Leeds, supported by the NCA.
- **John Livesey PhD.** Presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Does Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture Improve the Appearance of Wrinkles? A Narrative Review of the Literature.
- **Rick Scott.** Poster presentation at the RCCM Conference, 2024: Examining a protocol of electroacupuncture as a complex intervention for sciatica through scoping review, expert practices, and case study vignettes.
Page 26 of 40
## **8.5 MSc Research Projects**
## **8.5.1 Chinese Herbal Medicine**
**Laura Biddle:** What are the treatment approaches of Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioners for male fertility patients? A semi-structured qualitative interview study.
**Michael Ranft:** Mechanisms underpinning the effects of Chinese herbal medicine botanicals on rapid eye movement sleep: A systematic review.
**Bruce McCallum:** What can Li Dongyuan teach us about the gut microbiome? An interview-based exploration of diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle advice from the Treatise on Spleen and Stomach.
## **Nutrition Science & Practice**
**Jennefer D’Aubyn:** Nutritional interventions for long-COVID: a systematic quantitative literature review
**Sarah Smith:** The effect of Nutritional Therapy for a 45-year-old woman experiencing perimenopausal symptoms: A case report
**Elly Ling:** Nutritional therapy in a 54-year-old woman with chronic fatigue and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome: A case study. A qualitative analysis of personalised nutritional intervention outcomes and patient response
**Kirsten Chick:** Mushrooms, Gut Microbiota and Cancer: A scoping review with qualitative synthesis
**Laura Bolland:** The effects of nutritional therapy in a 49-year-old female with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a retrospective case report.
**Sarah McCann:** Nutritional Therapy in a 54-year-old woman with mild to-moderate Crohn's disease: A case study.
**Sophie Sowerby:** Nutritional therapy for a 35-year-old female recreational CrossFit® participant wanting to lose weight and reduce body-fat percentage: a mixed-methods case study.
## **Advanced Oriental Medicine:**
**Rick Scott:** Examining a protocol of electroacupuncture for sciatica as a complex intervention through scoping review, expert practices, and case study vignettes
**Mandy Brass:** Evaluating the Outcomes and Patient Experience of Group and Individual Acupuncture in an NHS Cancer Care Setting: A Mixed Methods Study
## **Advanced Nutrition:**
**Rose Ferguson:** Understanding the potential benefits and risk factors when using an intervention of time restricted eating in clinical practice. A phenomenological study of professionally registered nutritional therapists' perspectives
Page 27 of 40
## **Advanced Complementary Medicine:**
**Miriam McDonald: T** he use of medicinal mushrooms by Western herbal medicine practitioners in their practice: Applied Thematic Analysis
## **Contributions from Volunteers**
In relation to the contributions to the work of the College made by volunteers over the year, trustees, graduates, and students have generously given of their time to attend meetings of Boards and Committees.
## **Overseas Placements for Learning and Clinical Practice**
There were no overseas placements for students and alumni in 2023-24
## **9 Staff Development**
- 3 colleagues completed Safeguarding training – one of them being Designated Safeguarding Lead training.
- 4 colleagues qualified in First Aid. Nine staff received mental health first aid training.
- Our College Manager is being supported with study time and tutor support in gaining a level 5 CIPD qualification in Human Resources.
- Our IT Officer is being supported with study time to develop skills in Salesforce (our Student Information System) and completed a Jotform qualification.
- 4 colleagues attended a Leadership seminar.
- We supported 2 academic colleagues in completing their PGCert in Academic & Clinical Education (one Course Director and one Clinic Supervisor).
- We’ve continued to support the development of our new Student Support Officer, on courses related to SpLD and neurodiversity.
- We continued to support the development of our academic colleagues as practitionerscholars/researchers and as practitioner-educators, including funding for CPD events.
- All colleagues are invited to join the Practitioner Hub for a heavily discounted rate of only £15 a year to access all the monthly lectures and the archive of recordings.
- Pulse training was provided for Clinic Supervisors and Clinical Skills Tutors.
- Various groups of lecturers and Clinical Skills Tutors meet during the year to collaborate on assessment processes and course developments and to undertake peer review. Course Directors and other Senior Lecturers work closely with less experienced staff, and shadowing and team teaching are among the ways we support their development.
Page 28 of 40
## **10 Resources Statement**
## **10.1 Management and Administration**
The management and administration team for 2023-24 comprised:
1. Principal
2. Partnerships & Services Lead
3. Acupuncture Course Director
4. Herbs Course Director
5. Nutrition Course Director
6. Online MScs Course Director
7. Research Director
8. Librarian
9. Registrar and College Services Manager
10. College Services Assistant
12. Student Services Officer
13. Student Support Officer
14. Marketing and Admissions Manager
15. Marketing Officer
16. Engagement & Admissions Administrator
17. Finance Manager
18. Finance Administrator
19. Clinic Director
20. Receptionist x2
21. Lead IT Officer
11. Student Services Manager
## **10.2 Lecturer Colleagues**
Our academic colleagues have considerable experience both as practitioners and as teachers. Most of them teach for us part-time and also work as practitioners. This is appropriate for courses offering a professional training and is a requirement of the accrediting bodies.
## **10.3 Premises**
The College and York teaching clinics are located at 61 Micklegate in the centre of York, with additional teaching clinics located at BMAS House, 3 Winnington St, Northwich, and at the UCO clinic building, 98-118 Southwark Bridge Road, London
## **10.4 Accessibility**
Our premises offer full wheelchair access to the whole building for staff, students and patients. The only exception is access to the toilets in the basement, but there is an accessible toilet on the ground floor. All floors are accessible via the lift. Entry is via the back door, where there are no steps. Parking spaces are reserved for disabled use.
Reasonable adjustments for staff, patients, and students with disabilities are addressed on a case-by-case basis and all reasonable steps are taken to respond to them, including seeking expert advice when appropriate.
## **10.5 Facilities Maintenance and Development**
The College is responsible for the maintenance of the inside of the building and our Landlord, York Conservation Trust, is responsible for the outside of the building. Our Facilities Team ensures the building is
Page 29 of 40
kept in good condition, with dedicated building maintenance days each week and regular improvements are made to keep our equipment up to date. Statutory services are carried out on a reoccurring basis to ensure we’re complying with Health & Safety Regulations and matters are dealt with in a timely fashion.
## **10.6 Library, Learning and Online Resources**
## **10.6.1 Resources Provision**
**Journals and databases:** Online, the College subscribes to ScienceDirect’s Health and Life Science collection (full-text journal articles from over 1200 journals published by Elsevier). The College also subscribes to 2 EBSCO databases, Alt HealthWatch and Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), which focus on complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care. We have an online subscription to the Journal of Chinese Medicine (JCM).
In addition to paid-for subscriptions, students are encouraged to research widely and to read as much of the literature as possible. Students are particularly encouraged to use the journals, databases and other resources offered by the professional bodies, associated with their areas of learning. Students are supported in the use of other databases, journals and resources by the Librarian, and have access to a variety of ‘how to’ guides.
Amongst our hard-copy journal holdings, we hold complete runs of JCM and the European Journal of Oriental Medicine (EJOM), and part-runs of several other useful journals. We also hold print versions of all NCA MSc dissertations.
Wi-Fi broadband throughout the building provides internet access, including access to the Student Hub which holds the library catalogue, and links to our resources and guidance.
**Books:** We have around 3,000 books and e-books. We hold at least one copy of all core texts, and we hold multiple copies of popular titles and key texts. Where there is more than one copy of a text, one copy is reference-only, hence always available for consultation, which is especially useful during teaching or clinic sessions. Books have colour-coded labels which makes finding (and re-shelving) volumes easier, and core texts are additionally identified visually. Where new books are required, electronic copies are now our first choice, and we now have c.70 electronic books, accessed via the online library catalogue.
A selection of core texts is held (reference-only) in both acupuncture clinics, for convenient consultation. Other teaching resources include posters and charts on the walls of classrooms and clinic rooms, and a range of models of spines and other joints, held in the basement teaching room.
**Study skills materials:** We continue to enhance our collection of study skills advice (in the form of documents and videos on the library pages), guided by student/staff requests and by noting what needs are most frequently observed. These resources are revised annually. In particular, the referencing app, Mendeley, is promoted to all, for accurate and fast referencing. Support sessions given to individual students are now recorded by the Student Services Manager, via Salesforce.
For a relatively small institution, the NCA has access to excellent resources; using our books and journals together with online materials - and the expertise and creativity of our staff - we support our students’ educational needs.
Page 30 of 40
## **10.6.2 Library Management**
We have a Librarian who works 14 hours per week, with this time scheduled across the week to be of maximum assistance to students and staff, including at the weekend (during term time). Much of this is inperson, but one-to-one sessions via Teams are also offered. The monthly Library News posts by email keep everyone informed about interesting developments, changes in our provision etc. as well as asking for ideas for new resources.
## **10.6.3 Virtual Learning Environment**
The College’s virtual learning environment (VLE) is a combination of Moodle and various Microsoft 365 apps such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. SharePoint is used as the document repository for the VLE, Microsoft Teams for online teaching sessions, and Moodle for assignment submissions, and e-learning sessions. The VLE provides a wide range of resources for staff and students, including access to curriculum materials, learning materials, College documents and forms, and links to external resources. The materials can be easily updated and assist in keeping staff and students well informed. We implemented the newer version of Moodle (Moodle 4) which better integrates with M365, allowing a more seamless VLE navigation experience for staff and students.
## **10.6.4 Student Information System (SIS) (Salesforce)**
We continue to improve our efficiency and record-keeping. We are always developing our student information system to accommodate for the continually evolving requirements that go along with being a HE provider, including the Data Futures programme, which has now been implemented. The SIS has been developed for use from the point of application and stores all personal information, concerns about students, student marks and HESA information, and we are able to generate reports as required.
Page 31 of 40
## **Appendix A: NSS Results**
|Questions
(Those highlighted yellow are the overall score for the section)|% of NCA
students that
agreed with
the statement
in 2023|% of NCA
students that
agreed with the
statement in
2024|% of healthcare
sector students
that agreed
with the
statement in
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|Teachingon mycourse|85.94|98.21|85.43|
|1. Howgood are teachingstaff at explainingthings?|81.25|100.00|91.13|
|2. How often do teachingstaff make the subject engaging?|81.25|100.00|80.91|
|3. How often is the course intellectuallystimulating?|87.50|100.00|84.56|
|4. How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best
work?|93.75|92.86|85.20|
|Learningopportunities|88.75|92.86|82.39|
|5. To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and
concepts in depth?|87.50|85.71|83.45|
|6. How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way
that builds on what you have already learned?|81.25|100.00|84.74|
|7. To what extent have you had the chance to bring together
information and ideas from different topics?|93.75|92.86|83.63|
|8. To what extent does your course have the right balance of
directed and independent study?|81.25|85.71|77.41|
|9. How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills
thatyou thinkyou will need foryour future?|100.00|100.00|82.88|
|Assessment and feedback|85.00|92.86|78.27|
|10. How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?|93.75|92.86|75.97|
|11. How fair has the marking and assessment been on your
course?|68.75|85.71|81.19|
|12. How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what
you have learned?|75.00|100.00|81.79|
|13. How often have you received assessment feedback on time?|100.00|100.00|79.85|
|14. How often does feedback help you to improve your work?|87.50|85.71|72.71|
|Academic support|81.25|92.86|85.55|
|15. How easywas it to contact teachingstaff whenyou needed to?|81.25|92.86|85.48|
|16. How well have teaching staff supported your learning?|81.25|92.86|85.65|
Page 32 of 40
|Questions
(Those highlighted yellow are the overall score for the section)|% of NCA
students that
agreed with the
statement in
2023|% of NCA
students
that agreed
with the
statement in
2024|% of
healthcare
sector
students
that agreed
with the
statement in
2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|Organisation and management|75.00|67.86|75.30|
|17. How well organised is your course?|68.75|78.57|74.17|
|18. How well were any changes to teaching on your course
communicated?|81.25|57.14|76.43|
|Learning resources|81.25|85.71|86.89|
|19. How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your
learning?|87.50|78.57|84.84|
|20. How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and
learning spaces) supported your learning?|81.25|92.86|89.80|
|21. How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment,
facilities,software)whenyou need them?|75.00|85.71|86.35|
|Student voice|85.42|71.43|74.00|
|22. To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback
onyour course?|93.75|92.86|82.25|
|23. To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by
staff?|87.50|57.14|76.49|
|24. How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?|75.00|64.29|63.30|
|25. How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent
students' academic interests?|70.00|83.33|72.91|
|26. How well communicated was information about your
university/college's mental wellbeingsupport services?|71.43|53.85|78.58|
|27. During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas,
opinions,and beliefs?|93.75|85.71|86.44|
Page 33 of 40
## **Appendix B: Staff Activities**
Questions & responses in the Annual Self-Evaluation Report submitted to the accrediting body, the EHTPA (European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association) in August 2024
## **What staff development/CPD did staff undertake in 2023-24?**
## **Eileen Gibbon, Course Director:**
- Attendance at 2024 RCHM/BAcC Conference and at the Bristol Herb Garden Day Celebrating Herbal Medicine May 2024.
## **Zhi Hua Gao, Clinic Module Leader:**
- PG Cert ACE with UCO (now HSU i.e. Health Sciences University). Attendance at the October 2023 Classic formula "Tian Hui Yi Jian" conference. Attendance at the Bristol Herb Garden Day Celebrating Herbal Medicine May 2024. Also attends TCM CPD every two weeks with FTCMP (Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners), normally one- two hours each session, all TCM clinic related.
## **Phil Trubshaw, Module Leader for Herbs & Formulae:**
- Writing up his MSc dissertation for publication and presentation. This has involved reducing the number of herbs down to 5-6 key ones and writing in greater detail about their actions and cross overs between TCM and Biomedicine. The aim is to present this at the RCHM online research conference Nov 24.
- In addition to this he has also undertaken further study into dementia and geriatric care treatment with CHM and acupuncture using online resources.
## **Lara McClure, Module Leader for Chinese Herbal Medicine in Context:**
- Delivery of a monthly online journal club for Evidence Based Acupuncture (EBA) and has given a lecture to the AAC (Association of Acupuncture Clinicians) on behalf of EBA. Attendance at 2024 RCHM/BAcC Conference
## **Cheng Hao Zhou, Lecturer:**
- External Examiner for White Crane
## **Rebecca O’Cleirigh, Lecturer (based in New Zealand):**
|Nga Paerewa
Te Tiriri 1|Relates to council standard of ‘Collect and use cultural data accurately, consistently
and appropriately.” This was mostly a refresher on earlier courses.
• Provide culturally safe, competent and appropriate care for Māori and Pacific
peoples that demonstrates and gives practical effect to the five principles of Te
Tiriti1;Tino rangatiratanga,Equity,Activeprotection,Options,and Partnership.|
|---|---|
|Nga Paerewa
Te Tiriri 2|Relates to council standard of ‘Collect and use cultural data accurately, consistently
and appropriately.” This introduced concepts of how and why to collect data on
culture in the workplace. As the only employee this is not as relevant for me as an
employer but has application as an educator.
• Provide culturally safe, competent and appropriate care for Māori and Pacific
peoples that demonstrates and gives practical effect to the five principles of Te
Tiriti1;Tino rangatiratanga,Equity,Activeprotection,Options,and Partnership.|
|Rongoa Level 4|• Working through Papa Reo first lessons and workbooks (had to drop out due to
family problem in France). I wanted to explore the practice of herbal medicine in the
Maori traditions to better understand the use of local medicinals and the|
Page 34 of 40
First aid course
understanding of the model of health in this culture. (Provide health services that meet the unique needs of cultural and community groups.) Whilst I have been doing these courses for a very long time now it always surprises me that I learn something new, a different approach, a different teacher. This one was taken by a nurse and had many nursery teachers in it so had a lot of paediatrics specific. Controlling the “crowd” that being children and parents. Understanding pain and responses in youngsters. Maintain currency in first aid certification relevant to safety in clinical practice.
Also is working on professional and herbal regulation documents for the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand.
**How has the staff development/CPD impacted on the delivery of the course for 2024-25?**
- **Zhi Hua Gao** , who has undertaken a PG Cert ACE during 2023-24, has delivered a few days of class teaching during 2023-24 and will deliver the Year 2 Gynae teaching, previously delivered by Celine Leonard, now retired, who taught this topic as a guest in recent years.
- **Phil Trubshaw** teaches widely on the herbs course, including material related to his MSc topic. He supports and encourage students in overcoming reluctance in presenting.
- Several of the teaching team, including **Cheng Hao Zhou, Lara McClure and Rebecca O’Cleirigh** , have experience of teaching elsewhere/ insights from other institutions which enables them to contribute depth in team discussions.
- The Course Director has asked **Sarah Price** (who used to be a module leader on the course until a few years ago) to record a segment based on her topic at the RCHM/BAcC Conference to slot into the Year 2 curriculum.
Page 35 of 40
|**Faculty**
**member**|**Contributions to our professions**
**and the HE sector – e.g. external**
**examining, accreditation teams,**
**committee membership etc.**|**Scholarly and research activities – publications including**
**journal articles, involvement in research, development of**
**clinical practice, presentations etc.**|
|---|---|---|
|Eileen
Gibbon
Herbs Course
Director|Member of the Council of the
Register of Chinese Herbal
Medicine (RCHM).||
|Lisa Snelling
Online MScs
Course
Director|Fellow of the Shiatsu Society UK
and contributor to the Shiatsu
Society Board meetings on
Research promotion and
education of the practice and in
educating students.
Registered teacher of Shiatsu
FwSS(T) and preparing to deliver
programmes promoting the use of
Shiatsu in mainstream body-based
therapies such as physiotherapy,
patient recovering from surgery,
neurological atrophies such as ALS
and MS and in supporting those
receiving treatment for cancer.
Peer review of publications in
preparation on the topic of Shiatsu
for specific health issues.
**Reviewer:**European Journal of
Integrative Medicine.
**Publication:**Shiatsu for MS|Presentation of PhD research to the Research Council from
Complementary Medicine, London, August 2023). Therapist
Effects in Shiatsu for People with MS.
**Publications in Preparation**
Esmonde, L. Swainston, K. van Wersch, A. Exploring Therapist
effect in CAM research using TriVi. For Complementary
Medicine Research.
Esmonde, L. Swainston, K. van Wersch, A. Quality of Life as an
outcome measure for treating people with Multiple Sclerosis
using Shiatsu.
For Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine.
Esmonde, L. Swainston, K. van Wersch, A. The importance of
philosophy of thought in CAM research.
For Journal of Integrated Medicine.
Esmonde, L. 2024 Therapeutic relationships and therapist
effects in Shiatsu and complementary therapy research.
Shiatsu Research Network Presentation 7thMay 2024 online
[https://shiatsu-research-network.org/j39/index.php]|
|Ava Lorenc
MSc
Supervisor|**External roles:**
Associate Editor for European
Journal for Integrative Medicine
Trustee and administrator for
RCCM.
Member of the scientific advisory
board for the National Centre for
Integrative Medicine.
Reviewer for various journals.
Reviewer for a number of peer-
reviewed journals.
External examiner for PhD student
at University of Technology,
Sydney.|**Scholarly and research activities**
Wise S, Lorenc A. Anatomical and Clinical Characteristics of Scalp
Acupuncture Systems: A Scoping Review and Synthesis. J
Acupunct Meridian Stud 2023; 16(5): 159-175
https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2023.16.5.159
Matheson L, Greaves C, Duda JL, Wells M, Secher D, Rhodes P,
Lorenc A, Jepson M, Ozakinci G, Watson E, Fulton-Lieuw T,
Mittal S, Main B, Nankivell P, Mehanna H, Brett J. Development
of the ‘ACT now & check-it-out’ intervention to support patient-
initiated follow up for Head and Neck cancer patients. Patient
Education and Counseling 2023,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.108033.
Harrogate S, Barnes J, Watts J, Lorenc A, Rooshenas L,
Hinchcliffe R, Mouton R. (2024) A National Study of Peri-
operative Smoking Cessation in Vascular Surgery.
J.Vasc.Soc.G.B.Irel.3(3):173-178|
Page 36 of 40
|**Faculty**
**member**|**Contributions to our professions**
**and the HE sector – e.g. external**
**examining, accreditation teams,**
**committee membership etc.**|**Scholarly and research activities – publications including**
**journal articles, involvement in research, development of**
**clinical practice, presentations etc.**|
|---|---|---|
|Steve
Woodley
Online MScs
Research
Project
Module
Leader|Editor of RCHM Journal|PhD thesis accepted and published at University of Westminster
website:
https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/wwwvy/m
itochondrial-function-as-a-tool-for-assessing-function-quality-
and-adulteration-in-medicinal-herbal-teas
Corydalis monograph published on Herbal Reality website:
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/corydalis/
Accepted talk at RCHM research conference, along with chairing
discussion and accompanied by a series of papers based on PhD
research|
|Cheng Hao
Zhou
Lecturer|External Examiner for the White
Crane Academy of Chinese Herbal
Medicine
Lecturer of the acupuncture and
herb programmes at the Shen-
Zhou Open Universityof TCM|Presentation on Image in Chinese Medicine Reasoning at the
BAcC conference 2023.|
|Rachel
Pagones
Nutrition
Research
Project
Module
Leader|Member of the Society for
Integrative Oncology Acupuncture
Special Interest Group (SIO SIG)
Member of the panel of the TCM
Academy Oncology Acupuncture
International Certificate Program||
|Helen
Spriggs
Lecturer|Member of Diet and Nutrition
Working Group for the
International Consortium on
Ehlers Danlos Syndromes and
Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders|Created scholarly content and presented for Session 1 of The
Ehlers Danlos Society’s Project ECHO Nutrition Sept 2023 – a
series of six 90minute sessions – for fellow healthcare
professionals.
Nov '24 Presenting at theEDS ECHO Summit: Diet & Nutrition.
Topics creating content & presenting on are:
Nourishing the EDS body: Exploring Evidence for Dietary
Protocols
Dysautonomia: Exploring Dietary Management for OI, POTS, and
Headache
Q&A expert panels.
On-going - as part of The International Consortium on Ehlers-
Danlos Syndrome & Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Diet &
Nutrition Working Group currently working on a consensus
paper / Delphi study in the realm of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome &
nutrition and theirRoad to 2026.|
Page 37 of 40
|**Faculty**
**member**|**Contributions to our professions and the HE sector – e.g. external examining, accreditation teams,**
**committee membership etc.**|
|---|---|
|David
Hartmann
MSc
Supervisor|Researched, written and presented online workshops:
**Healthy Seminars:**
The Seven Emotions according to Chinese Medicine: Community Unity – April 9, 2024
The Heart Shen and Pericardium: Their Connection to Mental and Emotional Health – April 12, 2024
Acupuncture Point Combinations to treat Self-Esteem, the Inner Critic and Shen Scars – May 24, 2024.
**China Books Melbourne (Net of Knowledge):**
Acupuncture Point Combinations to treat Mental and Emotional Disorders: A Practical Workshop – June
29-30, 2024
**Net of Knowledge:**
Acupuncture Point Combinations: An Introduction – May 2024
**Tuning Fork Therapies Australia:**
Chakra and Eight Extraordinary Vessels Activations: Tuning Forks with Chinese Medicine Part 1 and 2 –
August 18-20, 22-23, 2023
Chinese Medicine Channels & Point Location Activations: Tuning Forks, Chinese Medicine & The Biofield
– October 13-15, 2023.
Numerology, Tuning Forks, Chinese Medicine & The Biofield – December 1-3, 2023
Spiritual and Emotional Health Activations: Tuning Forks, Chinese Medicine & The Biofield Hybrid – July
2-3, 2024
Chinese Medicine Channels & Point Location Activations: Tuning Forks, Chinese Medicine & The Biofield
Hybrid – July 4-5, 2024
**Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Conference (AACMAC):**
Accessing the Pericardium to Balance Self-Esteem – August 5, 2023
**New Zealand Conference (NZA):**
Acupuncture Point Combinations: Finding Joy and Contentment – August 27, 2023
**Rothenberg Congress:**
Using the Heart Shen and Pericardium to find Contented Joy and to balance Self-Esteem – May 11,
2024
**Australian Natural Therapies Australia (ANTA) Conferences:**
The Heart Shen and Pericardium: Their Connection to Mental and Emotional Health – Brisbane,
Australia – March 24, 2024 – live workshop – 1 delivery hour.
How Confucianism and Daoism helped shape Classical Chinese Medicine – Sydney, Australia – May 26,
2024
**ICZO:**
The Five Element Archetypes and Five Spirits: Who Do You Think You Are? – May 3-5, 2024
**For the period of 1 August 2023-31 July 2024:**
Total number of hours of delivery = roughly 178.5 hours
Total number of hours of research and writing= roughly873 hours|
Page 38 of 40
**Faculty Member: Sandro Graca**
**Contributions to our professions and the HE sector – e.g. external examining, accreditation teams, committee membership etc.**
- Director at **Evidence Based Acupuncture**
- Board of Directors of the **Society for Acupuncture Research**
- Scientific Advisor of the **OGKA** (Acupuncture Association in Austria)
- Editorial Board Member of the journals:
- European Journal of Integrative Medicine
- Integrative Medicine Research
- Perspectives on Integrative Medicine
- Medical Acupuncture
- Social Media and Outreach Editor for **EuJIM (Elsevier)**
Social Media Officer (and Early-Career SIG member) of the **Androgen Excess & PCOS Society**
**Scholarly and research activities – publications including journal articles, involvement in research, development of clinical practice, presentations etc.**
**PhD Scholarship at University of Wolverhampton** (School of Health and Society, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, United Kingdom)
## **Publications:**
- **Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review** Graca, S., Alloh, F., Lagojda, L., Dallaway, A., Kyrou, I., Randeva, H. S., & Kite, C. (2024). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(16), 1671. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12161671
- **2 contributions to the international PCOS guidelines:**
- Goldberg, A., Graca, S., Liu, J., Rao, V., Witchel, S. F., Pena, A., Li, R., Mousa, A., Tay, C. T., Pattuwage, L., Teede, H., Yildiz, B. O., & Ee, C. **Anti-obesity pharmacological agents for polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the 2023 international evidence-based guideline** . Obes Rev. Published online February 14, 2024. doi:10.1111/obr.13704
- Fitz, V., Graca, S., Mahalingaiah, S., Liu, J., Lai, L., Butt, A., Armour, M., Rao, V., Naidoo, D., Maunder, A., Yang, G., Vaddiparthi, V., Witchel, S. F., Pena, A., Spritzer, P. M., Li, R., Tay, C., Mousa, A., Teede, H., & Ee, C. **Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the 2023 update of the International Evidence-Based PCOS Guidelines** . J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published online January 2, 2024. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad762
## **International research collaborations:**
- Graca, S., Huemer, M., de Valois, B., Vang, B., & McClure, L. **“Are we there yet?” – Green shoots of progress in acupuncture implementation in healthcare.** European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 102371. doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102371
- Allen SJ, Conboy L, Wasserman TL, et al. **2021 American Society of Acupuncturists Survey on Acupuncturists' Backgrounds, Interests, and Attitudes toward Conducting Research** . Med Acupunct. 2024;36(4):215-226. Published 2024 Aug 21. doi:10.1089/acu.2024.0035
- Huemer M, Graca S, Bitsche S, Hofmann G, Armour M, Pichler M. **Assessing the role and impact of research in clinical practice among acupuncturists in western countries: a multinational cross-sectional survey** . Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1331184. Published 2024 Jul 31. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1331184
- Citkovitz C, Graca S, Anderson B, Conboy LA, Gold MA, Hirsch E, Lumiere K, Phelps S, Schnyer RN, Taylor-Swanson L. **Acupuncture Practice-Based Research in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Developments as of May 2024** . J Integr Complement Med. 2024 Jul 8. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2024.0459.
Page 39 of 40
## **Scholarly and research activities – publications including journal articles, involvement in research, development of clinical practice, presentations etc.**
- Linder, B., Yang, G.-Y., Lumiere, K., Taylor-Swanson, L., Graca, S., & Armour, M. **Collaborative Design of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Case Report Guideline (CHM-CARE)** . European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 102364. doi:10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102364
- Witt, C. M., Graca, S., & Lee, Y. S. **Artificial Intelligence and Acupuncture: A Data-Driven Synergy** . J Integr Complement Med. 2024;30(4):316-318. doi:10.1089/jicm.2024.0109
- Huemer M, Graca S, Bitsche S, Hofmann G, Armour M, Pichler M. **Mapping the clinical practice of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in oncology in Western countries: A multinational cross-sectional survey** . J Integr Med. Published online December 28, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2023.12.002
## **Posters / Abstracts:**
- **2 posters at the SAR / RCMI PolyU Research Conference, Hong Kong | May 2024**
- Mapping the clinical practice of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in oncology in Western countries: A multinational cross-sectional survey
- From Case to Evidence: A Secondary Analysis Approach to Acupuncture Reports
- **Abstract accepted** for the AE-PCOS Society 22nd Annual Meeting in New Zealand (November 7-9, 2024): “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review”
## **Presentations:**
- 4 presentations at the SAR / RCMI PolyU Research Conference, Hong Kong | May 2024
- “Traditional Chinese Medicine and Menstrual Health: Bridging the Gaps Between West and East”
- “Bridging Basic and Clinical TCM Research to Address Women’s Health”
- “Finding Harmony in Data Sets: TCM Practice-Based Common Outcomes in the West and the East”
- “Bridging Wisdom to Data – Future of AI in Advancing Acupuncture & TCM in Healthcare”
- 1 presentation at the ESHRE Campus, Porto, Portugal | April 2024
- “Clinical insights and evidence-informed acupuncture treatment strategies in assisted reproductive technology”
- Online presentation at Acupuncture Now Australia (17 July 2024)
- Understanding Acupuncture Research - Live Webinar with John McDonald, Claudia Citkovitz, and Sandro Graca
- Online presentation at the XIII Brazilian Congress of Chinese Medicine – 4th International Congress of EBRAMEC College (24 to 30 June, 2024 in Brazil)
Clinical practice updates on acupuncture during IVF
Page 40 of 40
Charlty reglslrallon number 1081184
Company rogistration numbor 02400056 (England and Wales)
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
LEGALANDADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
K Wlcklow
ECLIU
H Thomas
N Haines
DJay
G Webb
H Lansdown
Secretary
DJay
Charity number
1081184
Company numbor
02400056
R•glstered 0ffl¢g
61 Micklegat8
York
Y016LJ
Auditor
Henton & Co LLP
124 Acomb Road
York
Y024 4EY
Bankers
Santander plc
Brldl8 Road
Bootle
L30 4GB
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
CONTENTS
Pag8
Trustees, rewrt
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
Independent auditorf3 report
8-10
Statement of finandal activities
11
Ststement of financial position
12
Statsment of cash flows
13
Notes to the financial statements
14-25
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Tha trusté8s present their annual report and finandal stalements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
The financial statement5 have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the
finan(ial Statements and comply with the Companies Act 2006, 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement
of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and
Regulatory advice 9: Accounts direction issued by the Office for Students.
Objoctives and activities
The charItS objects are to provide education in the art of acuwncture. traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition
and there has been no change in these during the year.
Public benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deoding what activities the
charity should undertake.
Strategic report
Th8 description under tho headings "Achievemènts and perfomiance. and 'Financlal revl8w' m88t the company law
requlrements for the trustees to prèsent a stratègic report.
Athievements and parfornlance
Signlfic8nt actiwties and achievements against obJ'ectNes
Strate Review
The NCA strategy is ¢ommltted to supporting the NCA Charitable Objectives. The strategy is also committed to the
delivery of excellence, to drive reputational value and ensur8 long iemi finandal sustalnabllSty.
The implementation of strategy in 2023-24 was limited by ¢)rganisational issues including changes in academic
faculty and programme leadership. and personal stresses on key colleagues in administration and manag8ment.
Perfomiance Review
Desplt8 th8 challenges that lie ahéad for thè NCA. th8 achi8V8m8nls of 2023-24 clearfy d8monstrat8 a highty
committed and skilled staff base of academics, practitioners. and administrators.
UCO and AECC Mer
Since November 2021, the NCA academic programmes were validated by the University College of Osteopathy
(UCO). However, on 1 August thi5 year, the University College of Osteopathy IUCO) and the Anglo-European
College of Chiropractic (AECC) merged to become the Health Sciences University IHSU).
Arrangements are in place for the continued validation of NCA academic programmes by the HSU. with continuity of
reporting documentation. the validation prOss. and relationships with {UCO) colleagues.
Academic Programmos
Bsc Acu
uncture
In 2023-24, we recruited 33 new students onto the Bsc Acupundure programme, spill across full time (21 students)
and part time (12 students) study options.
We are pleased that 22 studants will graduate wtth a Bsc Acupuncture this auturnn. with the opportunity to progress
as clinical practitioners andlor academics.
Msc Nutrition Science and Practlc8
In 2023-24, we recruited 20 new students onto the Nutrition A(xess course. and we enrolled 15 students
progressing from th8 Access course onto the Msc Nutrldon S¢lence and Practlc8 programm8.
We are pleased that 7 students will graduate with an Msc Nutrition Science and Practice this autumn. with the
opportunlty to progress as clinical practition8rs andlor acaderni.
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Msc Chlnese Herbal Medlclne
In 2023-24. we r8cruited 12 new students onto the Msc Chlnese Herbal Medicine programme.
We are pleased that 3 students will gr8duatp with an Msc Nutrition Scienc8 and Practi¢e this autumn. with the
(pportunity to progre88 as clinical practitioners andlor academics.
NSS Student Feedback
The NSS survey is completed by all final y8ar Bsc Acupuncture students, giving valuab18 f88dback on the quallty of
their academic programma and thgir overall experience as a student at NCA.
NCA students registered exceptionally high F8vels of satisfaction for the quality of teaching {98.21), 18aming
opportunitios (92.86), assessment and feedback (92.86> and academic support (92.86}, but lower levels of
satisfaction for organisation and managémant {67.86). leaming resourc8s (85.71 } and student volce {71.43).
Th8s8 NSS scores are consistently higher than th8 scorés for last year 2023, and are above th8 h8althcar8 sector
average.
stud8nt Oulcomes
The Student Outcomes data measure institutional performanc8 for studènt Continuation (with their quallficatlon
studies), Completion (of their qualificalon) and Progression (into professlonal employment or fijrther studies).
The data Is managed by the Ofs and offers NCA perforniance data benchmarked with a fflinimum perfomiance
threshold. and an upper and lower pèrcentage of Statistical uncertainty. The avallabl8 data presènts the NCA
posilion on Sbjdent Outcomes, between 2018-19 and 2021-22.
Thé Bsc Acupuncture scores conslstentty hlgher than the Ofs threshcld for Contlnuation, Comp19tion and
Progresslon.
HOW6r, th8 MS¢ progr8mmes (Msc Nutrition Sci8nc8 and Practiee and MS¢ Chinese Herbal Medlclnè) score
below the ors threshold for Continuation arKI Progresslon, wlth no data avallable for Completion.
Practitlon8
The Practitioners, Hub 8nabl8s m8mb8rs to engage in lectures. open dlscusslon groups, CPD opportunities and
ck)sed supervlsion groups.
Followlng a drop in subscribing members. and a recent rèview of the positioning and valu8 of th8 Hub, th8 Hub wlll
now be restructured to deliver an gnhanced value proposition for subscribing mambers.
Followlng approval of Ihe new structure and enhanced value proposltion for members, the Hub wlll be relaunched In
Noven*er 2024.
R8s8arch
Our Research Strategy deliv8rs a strong resear¢h profile for NCA and is a significant contributor to our institutional
reputatrfyn and the value of our qualifications. Currently, our ststus asan 'uncapped fee, provider with the
Ofs precludes us applying for research grants from UKRI and th8 R8S8arch Counclls, and this limits our abilty to
develop high-impact research.
How8ver, we are confident thal we will be able to generate both commercial and academic research r8V8nu8s from
our research output. whlch Is dellvered by both staff and students. As such, we arè keèn to attract wider recognition
for the quallty and Impact of our research, and to be Invclved in public and Private funded r8S8arch projects wlth a
variety of stakeholders.
Our Cllnlcal Outcom88 R8s8arch and Audit project {CORA) gathers dlnl¢al outcomes data across the College's
téaching dinics using the Measure Yourself Medlcal Outcomes Profile IMYMOP) questlonnalre. Thls is shared with
the research organlsatlon Meanlngful Measures (which owns and admlnlsters MYMOP) as part of an aggregated
dataset made available to researchers for investigation of tho 8ffedivenes$ of our therapies.
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT AND STRATEGIC REPORT)
(CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Th8 Support for Publication {SfP) programme supports undergraduate and postgraduate students to publish the
results of their research. The package includes support from a supervisor and the Research Ethics Committee. plus
a small grant from the Collgge, using legacy funds frorn the Foundation for Research into Traditional Chin8se
Medicinè (for all students, not only those studying a fomi of TCM) to cover the costs of writing-up and peer review.
Teachin Clinics
Three teaching clinics operate from the College: acupuncture. nutrition and Chinese heal medicine. All clinics
offer a high quality and professional service to the l(Kal community and beyond, with professional treatment at
reduced rates. Patient surveys and feedback generally demonstrata a very high level of satisfaction including praise
for the students. with occasional suggestions for improvement. which is acted on.
The Acupuncture clinics include the clinic in York. plus two new dinics that were opened in 2024, in Northwich and
Southwark in London. The Herbs clinic continues to run completsly online. enabling patients to attend from all over
the county. The Nutrition clinic remains a hybrid model where the supervisor and students are in York while dients
can choose to attend in-person or online.
Our teathlng dinlcs make an invaluable contribution to the training of our students as practitioners. arKI they enable
us to meet one of our charitable objectives by providing treatment to members of th8 publ1¢ who would otherwlse be
deprived of treatment by reason of financial hardship.
Flnandal revlew
The 202>24 accounts show a deftclt of £113.391. whlch Is 10.3% of the NCA annual Income of £1.099.978.
Th8 accounts for the previous y88r 2022-23 showad a sllm margln of profltablllty at 0.1% of annual incorne,
indi¢ating early slgns of post
{1,000) (113,391)
11,876
(1,845)
10,031
Reconciliation ol funds:
Fund balances at 1 July 2023
298.639
16.860
315,499
286.763
18.705
305.468
Fund balances at 30 June
2024
186,248
15.860
202,108
298.639
16.860
315.499
The statement of financlal actlvltles Includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. Al InMe and expenditure
derive from continuing activities.
11
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
ASAT30 JUNE 2024
2024
2023
Notss
Fixed aets
Tangible assets
12
14,291
13,951
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
13
14
3,600
38,818
354,998
3.600
42,671
470.125
397.416
516.396
Credltors: amounts falling due within
ono year
15
(209.599)
(214.848)
Net current assets
187,817
301,548
Total assets less current liabilities
202,108
315.499
Income funds
R8Stricted fund5
Unreslricled funds
17
15,860
186.248
16.860
298.639
202.108
315,499
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audlt requlrement contalned In section 477 of th8 Companies Act
2006, for the yaar ènded 30 June 2024, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities
Acl 2011.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requiremenls of the Companies Act 2006
with r8spect to accounting records armj the preparation of financial stat8m8nts.
The members have not requlred the company to obtaln an audit of its financial ststements under the requirements
of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in questlon In accordance wtth section 476.
These financial statement5 have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject
to the small companies rogimo.
The financial stat8m8nts w8r8 approvèd by th8 Tmst8es on 17 October 2024
DJay
Trustee
E Heathcote
Arxountable oKor
Company registration numb
02400056
12-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
2024
2023
Notes
Cash flows from operating a¢tlvltlas
Cash (absorbed by)Igenerated from
operations
22
(123,176)
5,228
Investlng activltles
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
(4,947)
12,996
{3.298)
3,200
Net cash gèn8rated froml{u80d in)
Investlng actlvltles
8,049
(98)
Net cash u$8d in flnanclng activities
Net (de¢rease)Ilncroase In Cash and cash
equivalents
{115.127)
5,130
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of y8ar
470.125
464,995
Cash and cash oquivalonts at ond of year
354,998
470.125
13-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Accountlng poll¢les
Charity infomiatlon
North8m College of Acupuncture is a private company Ilmlted by guarantee In¢orporated In England and
Wales. The reglstered offlce Is 61 Mi¢klegate, York. Y018U.
1.1 Accounting conventlon
Th8 finandal stalements have been prepared in accordance wlth th8 the Companles Act 20C6. and
"Accountlng and Reportlng by Charities: Ststement of Recommended Practlce applicable to charitles
prepaTing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Rep¢yting Standard applicable in the UK and
Republic of IrelarKI (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and Regulatory advic8 9: Accounts direction issued
by th8 Off8 for Students. The ¢harity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial ststements are prepared in sterling. whlch Is tho functional CUrncY of the tharity. Monetary
amounts in Ih8se financial ststements are rounded to the nearest £.
Th8 financial Statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost conventlon. The prlndpal a¢¢ounllng
policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the tlme of approving the financial statements. th8 trustees have a r8asonable expectsllon that the ¢harlty
has adequate resources to contlnue In operatlonal existen for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees
contlnue to adopt Ihe going concem basis of accounllng in preparing the financial statgments.
1.3 Charitabl• funds
Unrestrlcted funds are avallable for use at the dis¢relion of the trustees in furtherance of thelr charltable
objedives.
R8Strictéd funds are subject to specffio conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The
purposes and uses of the restrl¢ted lunds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income
Incomé Is recognised when the charity is legally entltled to It after any perfornian ¢ondltlons have been met.
the amounts can be measured rellably, and It Is probable that income wlll be received.
Fee income is recognised in the period in which students are studyin9.
Clinic receipts are recognisad In tha period in whith the service is provided.
Grants for Immediate expendiiure are aocounted for when they b8com8 rec81vable. Grants rec81v8d for
Splf1¢ purposes are treated as r8Strict8d funds. Grants which are received for future accounting periods are
dèferred and r8cognlséd In thos8 Periods.
Income from the sale of goods Is recognlsed when retsivable by the ¢harity.
Rent is recognised when receivable by the charity.
Intsrest is regnISed when rec*ivable by the charfty.
14-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Accountlng pollclo9
(Contlnued
1.5 Expondlturé
Expendlture Is recognls8d on an accruals basis as a Ilabllity is Incurred and Is classified und8r tho headlngs of
the statement of financial activities to which It relates:
Expenditure on charitable activities indudes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further
its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries. including thos8 support costs and costs relating to the
governance of the charity apportioned to diartlable activities.
All costs ar8 allocated to expenditure categories refiecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to
single aclivity are allo¢ated directly to that activty. Shared costs are apportioned beeen the activities they
(x)ntribute to on a reasonable. justtfiable and consisterrt basis.
1.6 Tanglble fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation. net of
depreciation and any impaimi8nt Ioss8S.
Depreciation is cOgnISed so as to write off the st or valuation of assets less Iheir residual values over their
useful lives on th8 followlng bases:
Flxtures and flttlngs
15 /91209h125°h reduclng balanc8
Thè gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is detemlned as the dlfference beeen the sale proceeds
and the carrying valuè of the asset. and is recognised in the Statement of financial activitie8.
1.7 Impainngnt of fixod assets
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tanglble assets to determlne
whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication
exists. the recoverable arnount of the asset is estimated in order to delermine the extent of the impairment
loss (if any).
1.8 Stocks
stocks are ststed at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost
comprises direct materials and, where applicable. direct labour costs and Ihose overheads that have been
incunpd in bringing the stocks to their present location and condilion. Items held for distribution at no or
nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cctst and cost.
Nat r8alisabl8 valu8 is the estimated selllng prlc8 18ss all estimated costs of completion and costs to be
Inwrred in marketing. sèlling and distribution.
1.9 Cash and cash equlvalents
Cash and e2sh equlvalents include cash in hand. deposlts held at call wlth banks. other short-temi Ilquld
investments with original maturities of three months or less. and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown
within borrowlngs in current liabilities.
15-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Accountlng pollcles
(Contlnu•d)
1.10 Financial Instrumonts
The tharity has elecled lo apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instmments, and Section 12
'Other Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charitys balance sheet when the charity becom8s party to the
contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset. with the net amounts presented in the financial statements. when
there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there FS an intention to settle on a net
basis or to realise the asset arKI settle th8 liabilty simultane¢Jusly.
Baslc Ilnancial assets
Basic financial assets. which Indude debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at
transaction price including transadlon costs and are subsequently Caled at amortised cost using the effective
interest method unles8 the arrangement constitutes a financing transactlon, wh8r8 the transactlon Is
measur8d at the pr8s8nt Value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of Interest. Flnanclal &ets
classified as receivable withln one year are not amortised.
Basic finala1 liabilities
Basic financial liabillties, Includlng cr8dltors and bank bans are initially recognised at transaction price unless
the arrarvJement constitutes a finandng transactlon, wher8 th8 debt Instrument b measured at the present
value of the future payments dls¢ounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classlfied as payable
within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortlsed cosL using th6 éfféctivé interest rate method.
Trade credItO are obllgatlons to pay for goods or seTvi¢es that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due 1th1n one
year or less. If not. they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at
transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or
cancelled.
1.11 Employee benoffts
The cost of any unused TrK)liday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are
receNed.
Termlnatlon benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the chaiity is demonstrably committed
to lemiinate the employment of an employee or to provide terrnination beneffts.
1.12 Retirement benefltg
Payménts to d8finéd contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall du8.
1.13 Creditors and prov1$1•5
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event
that will result in the transfer of funds to a third paty and the amount du8 to s8tt18 the obligation can be
measured or esttmat8d reliably.
16-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Crftl¢al a¢countlng estlmates and judgements
In the application of th8 charity's accounting policies. the trustees are required to make judgements. estimates
and assumptions about th8 carying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. The estimates and assoclated assumptions ar8 based on hlstorfcal experf8nce and other factors that
are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Th8 estimates and underfying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. R8visions to accounting
estimates are recognlsed In the period in lch the estimate is revised where the revision aff8cts only that
period, or In the period of Ihe revision and future periods vthere the revislon affeds both current and future
periods.
Income from
charltable actlvltles
Teaching
fees
2024
Clini¢
rnceipts
2024
Sales of Practitioner
books
hub
2024
2024
Total
Total
2024
2023
Charltable activities
1,003,603
64,756
5,015
13,608 1,086,982
1,046,158
Anatysls by fund
Unrestricted funds
1.003.603
64.756
5.015
13,608 1,086,982
1.046.158
Note on grant and fee income:
2023-24
022-23
rant income from the Ofs
rant Incom8 from other bodies
Fee Incom8 for tsught award
(exdusive of VAT)
960,824
937,228
Fee income for research award
exclusive of VAT)
NIA
NIA
Fee in¢m from non-qualfyin
ourses (exclusive of VAD
42.779
16.455
otal grant and fèé Incom8
1,003.603
953,683
17-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Incomo from
charltable actlvltles
(contInu)
Prevrous year:
Teaching
fees
2023
Clinic
receipts
2023
Sales of Practitioner
hub
2023
Total
2023
2023
Charitsble activities
953,683
59.603
3.630
29,242 1.046.158
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
953,683
59,603
3,630
29.242 1.046.158
Income from investments
Unrestrlctod Unrestrlcted
funds
fvnds
2024
2023
Rental income
Interest receivable
10,300
2,696
1.693
1,507
12,996
3,200
Detalls of grant and fee Income
2024
2023
The source of grants and fee income is as follows..
Fee income for taught awards
1,003.603
953.683
Total grant and fee income
1,003,603
953,683
18-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
ExndItUre on ¢haritsblo 4¢tiviti
College &
cllnie
2024
Collego &
clinic
2023
Dlr•ct costs
Staff costs
Depreciation and impaimient
Needles and moxa
Laundry and sharpz
Herbs
Lecturer fees
Lecturers other
Universty registration fees
Teaching aids
Accreditation and validation
Library and e learning
Books resale
R8s8arch
Other charitsble expenditure
556,866
4.607
8,015
1,263
10,772
226,678
23,236
67,127
2,166
47,058
14,076
4,116
1,211
235.456
537.155
4,465
3,841
639
7,608
183,603
14,370
24.422
2,387
43.954
13,292
1,202
1,111
197,228
1.202,647
1,035,277
Share of support and governance costs (see note 7)
Governan¢e
10,722
4.050
1,213.369
1.039.327
Analysls by fund
Unrestricted funds
Rastrictéd fijnds
1,212,369
1.000
1.037.482
1,845
1,213,369
1,039,327
Support costs allocated to actlvltles
2024
2023
Govomance costs
10,722
4,050
Anatysed betwoen:
College & ¢llnl¢
10.722
4,050
19-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Support costs allocated lo actlvltles
(Continued
2024
2023
Governance costs comprlso:
Audlt fees
Legal and professional
4,410
6,312
4.050
10,722
4,050
Net movement In funds
2024
2023
The net movement in funds is statéd after chargIn{creditIng).
Fee8 payable for the audit of the charivs finandal statements
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
4.410
4,607
4.050
4,465
Trustees
None of the trustees {or any persons connected with them) received any remuneratlon or benefits from the
charity during the year. No trustee expenses have been incurred by the charity.
10 Employee$
The average rrKinthly number of employees during the year was:
2024
Number
2023
Number
Teaching
Administration
11
17
12
18
Total
30
Employment costs
2024
2023
W8g8s and sa18riès
Social security costs
Other pension costs
513.472
33,617
9.777
497.784
30,307
9.064
556,866
537,155
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
10 Employ•as
(Contlnuad)
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows..
2024
Number
2023
Numbgr
£60,001 to £70,000
The head of the College rècéiv8d a basic salary of £60.419 (2023 . £58.656) and penslon contrlbutlons of
£1,321 {2023 . £1,321).
The Principal's basic salary is 1.7 times (2023: 1.8 times) the median pay of Staff. wher8 th8 m8dlan pay is
calculat8d on a full-tlme 8qulval8nt basis f¢X th8 salariés pald by the provider to its staff. The Princlpal's total
remuneratlon Is 1.7 tlmes (2023: 1.8 times) the median total remun8ratlon of staff, where the median total
remuneration is calculated on a full-time equivalent basis for the total remuneration pald by the charity to ts
staff.
There were no payments to the Principal in lieu of pension Contributions, of dlvldends, of perfoman¢e-related
pay or other bonuses, and no other taxable or non-taxable beneflts or other remuneration. There were no
salary sacrifice arrangements. All pension contributions are identified above.
Justification of th8 Princi
'8 r8muneratK)n
The College Is a small HE provld8r. wlth around 200 students, and Is also a registered charity. As is usual for
small prowders, the Principal's key tssks cover a wide range from the strategic to the operational, and they
include financial, professional and18gai responsibilities as well a8 involvement in marketin9 and managlng the
Senior academic t8am.
The Principal has been In post for 25 years. Under hSs leadershlp the College has expanded its provision from
onè Msc cours8 to five Msc courses and one Bsc course, has survivèd substantial economic challenges.
especially the 2008 banking crisis, has built up its financial reseNes, and enhanced its reputation as a qu81ty
provider with a strong commitm8nt to r8S8arch. In r8cent y8ars th8 Coll8gè has had 8UCCgS8ful reports from
the Quality Assurance Agency for HE and been registerèd with the Office for Students. In th8 Natlonal Student
SuNey the College conslst8ntly achleves hlgh scores for overall student satlsfa¢tlon and generally scores
which are above the sector averages.
The Principal's perfomiance is judged via an annual perfonnance review conduct8d by hvo mambers of the
Board of Dire¢torsrrrustaès, and on an ongoing basis at regular meetings of the Board of Directorsrrrustees.
Com
nsation for loss of office
Th8r8 wer6 no paym8nts as compensation for loss of office to any stsff m8mb8r during the year.
11 Taxallon
The ¢harity is exgmpt from taxatton on its actbvities because 811 its incomg 18 applied for charitable wrposes.
-21-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
12 Tanglble Ilxad assets
Flxturns and
flttlng
At 1 July 2023
Additions
130.053
4.947
At 30 June 2024
135,O¢X)
Depreclatlon and 1mpalrnnt
At 1 July 2023
D8predatlon charg8d in th8 year
116,102
4,607
At 30 June 2024
120.709
Carrylng amount
At 30 June 2024
14,291
At 30 June 2023
13,951
13 Stocks
2024
2023
Raw materials and consumables
3.600
3.600
14 Debtor&
2024
2023
Amounts falllng due wlthln ona year:
Trad8 debtors
Other debtors
Prepaymènts and accrued income
4.182
1,451
33.185
13.231
420
29,020
38,818
42.671
1 S Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
other taxation and social security
Trada creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
4,650
38,539
9,299
157,111
7.989
24,143
7.391
175,325
209,599
214.848
-22-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
16 Retirament bonofit schemes
2024
2023
Dofined contrlbution schemes
Charga to profft or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
9,777
9.064
The ¢harlty operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the
scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund.
17 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants heid on trust
subject to specific eonditlons by donors as to how th8y may be used.
At 1 July 2023 Resources
expended
At 30 Juno
2024
Supporting students
16,860
(1.000)
15.860
Previous year:
At 1 July 2022 Rosources
oxpended
At 30 Jun
2023
Supporting students
18,705
{1.845)
16,860
18 Unrestrleted funds
The unrestrf¢ted funds of the charlty comprfs8 the unexp8nded balances of donatlons and grants whlch are
not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include
designated fvnd$ which have been set aslde out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for sp6cific purposes.
At 1 July 2023
Ineomlng
resources
Resources
oxponded
At 30 June
2024
G8neral funds
298,639
1,099,978
(1,212,369)
186.248
Prevlous year:
At 1 July 2022
Incomlng
resources
Resour¢e$
oxpondad
At 30 June
2023
General funds
286,763
1.049.358
(1,037,482)
298.639
-23-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OF ACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
19 Anatysls of net assets botwoon fvnds
Unrestrlctod
funds
2024
Rostrl¢tèd
funds
2024
Total
2024
At 30 June 2024:
Tangible assets
Current assetsl{liabilitie8)
14,291
171.957
14.291
187.817
15.860
186.248
15,860
202.108
Unrestricted
funds
2023
Rostrlcted
funds
2023
Total
2023
At 30 June 2023:
Tangible assets
Curr8nt ass8ts1{liabilities)
13,951
284.688
13.951
301.548
16.860
298.839
16,860
315.499
20 Operatlng lease commltmonts
Lessee
At thé rèporting end date th8 charity had outstsnding commitments for future minimum18ase payments under
nwcancellable operating leases. which f811 du8 as follows:
2024
2023
Within one year
Beiween and five years
In over fwe years
55,000
220.000
55.000
50,000
220,000
110,000
330.000
380.000
21 Related party trnnsactions
Tre wer8 no disdosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - non8).
-24-
NORTHERN COLLEGE OFACUPUNCTURE
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
22 Cash gonerated from oporations
2024
2023
(Deficitysurpus for tha y8ar
{113,391)
10,031
AdIustrrnts for.
Investment income recognised in ststement of finan(xal activities
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
(12.996)
4,607
(3.200)
4.465
Movémènts In worklng capltsl:
Decrease in debtor5
(Decrease) in CrllorS
3.863
{5.249)
(8.712)
Cash (absorbed byvgenerated from operations
(123.178)
5,228
23 Analysls of changes In net funds
The charity had no matertal debt during the ygar.
-25-
Northern College of Acupuncture 61 Micklegate, York YO1 6LJ _t:_ 01904 343305 _e:_ info@nca.ac.uk _w:_ **www.nca.ac.uk**
Henton & Co LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 124 Acomb Road York YO24 4EY
17 October 2024
Dear Sirs
During the course of your audit of our financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2024, the following representations were made to you by management and trustees.
- 1 We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees under the Charities Act 2011 for preparing financial statements, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework, FRS 102 Charity SORP and for making accurate representations to you as auditors.
We confirm that in our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view and in particular, where any additional information must be disclosed in order to give a true and fair view, that information has in fact been disclosed. We confirm that the selection and application of the accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, and we approve these accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024.
- 2 We confirm that all accounting records had been made available to you for the purposes of your audit and that all the transactions undertaken by the charity had been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records. All other records and related information, including minutes of all management and trustees’ meetings, had been made available to you. We have given you unrestricted access to persons within the charity in order to obtain audit evidence and have provided any additional information that you have requested for the purposes of your audit.
- 3 We acknowledge that it is a criminal offence to make a false statement in this regard, and where any trustee either makes a false statement; is aware that the statement is false; is reckless in preventing this statement; or fails to take reasonable steps to prevent the trustees’ report from being approved, we acknowledge that each trustee will be guilty of a criminal offence.
- 4 We confirm that there is no ultimate controlling party.
- 5 We confirm that the charity has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the assets, except for those disclosed in the financial statements.
- 6 We confirm that the methods, significant assumptions and data used by us in making accounting estimates and the related disclosures, are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement or
sechtpas= Hex ©
The Northern College of Acupuncture Registered Charity No. 1081184 Limited Company No. 2400056
disclosure that is in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
- 7 We confirm that we have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and where relevant, the fair value measurement or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.
- 8 We confirm that the charity has no liabilities or contingent liabilities other than those disclosed in the financial statements.
- 9 We confirm that all known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements have been disclosed to you and account for and disclosed in accordance with FRS 102.
- 10 We confirm that there have been no events since the balance sheet date which require disclosing or which would materially affect the amounts in the financial statements, other than those already disclosed or included in the financial statements.
- 11 We confirm that the related party relationships and transactions set out below are a complete list of such relationships and transactions and that we are not aware of any further related parties or transactions.
|**Party**|**Relationship**|**Nature of Transactions**|
|---|---|---|
|**N E Haines**|Trustee|None|
|**Five Global Ltd**|Company in which N E Haines is a
Director|None|
|**Nicholas Haines**
**Consultancy**|Sole trader business of N E Haines|None|
|**S E Haines**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of N E Haines None|Spouse/Domestic Partner of N E Haines None|
|**G Webb**|Trustee|None|
|**The Manchester Publicity**
**Association - The**
**Educational Trust**|Charity of which G Webb is a Trustee|None|
|**S A Webb**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of G Webb|None|
|**F Rothwell**|Child of G Webb|Non|
|**G & S Properties (UK)**|Property rental business of G and S A
Webb|None|
|**G & S Properties**
**(Overseas)**|Property rental business of G and S A
Webb|None|
|**D Jay**|Trustee|None|
|**Smeaton Developments**
**Ltd**|Company in which D Jay is a Director|None|
The Northern College of Acupuncture Registered Charity No. 1081184 Limited Company No. 2400056
aan
|**S Garland-Grimes**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of D Jay|None|
|---|---|---|
|**V Storah**|Child of D Jay|None|
|**O Jay**|Child of D Jay|None|
|**H Thomas**|Trustee|None|
|**C P Davies**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of H Thomas|None|
|**York Groupwork Ltd**|Company in which C P Davies is a
Director|None|
|**E C Liu**|Trustee|None|
|**X Wang**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of E C Liu|None|
|**J Liu**|Child of E C Liu|None|
|**K Wicklow**|Trustee|None|
|**H Lansdown**|Trustee|None|
|**York Steiner School**|A charity of which H Lansdown is a
Trustee|None|
|**T M Horta Reis da Silva**|Trustee|None|
|**E C P Rodrigues**|Spouse/Domestic Partner of T M Horta
Reis da Silva|None|
|**S Rodrigues da Silva**|Child of T M Hora Reis da Silva|None|
- 12 We confirm that all related party relationships and transactions have been accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework.
- 13 We confirm that the charity has had, at no time during the year, any arrangement, transaction or agreement to provide credit facilities (including advances and credits granted by the charity for trustees) nor to provide guarantees of any kind on behalf of the trustees.
- 14 We confirm that the charity has not contracted for any capital expenditure other than as disclosed in the financial statements.
- 15 We confirm that the charity has complied with all aspects of contractual agreements that could have a material effect on the financial statements in the event of non-compliance.
- 16 We confirm that we are not aware of any possible or actual instances of non-compliance with those laws and regulations which provide a legal framework within which the charity conducts its business and which are central to the charity’ ability to conduct its business, expect as explained to you and as disclosed in the financial statements.
- 17 We acknowledge our responsibility for the design and implementation of controls to prevent and detect fraud. We confirm that we have disclosed to you the results of our risk assessment of the risk of fraud in the business.
The Northern College of Acupuncture Registered Charity No. 1081184 Limited Company No. 2400056
pawl
There have been no deficiencies in internal controls of which we are aware.
- 18 We confirm that there have been no actual or suspected instances of fraud involving management or employees who have a significant role in internal control of that could be a material effect on the financial statements. We also confirm that we are not aware of any allegations of fraud by former employees, regulators or others.
- 19 We confirm that, in our opinion, the charity’s financial statements should be prepared on the going concern basis on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charity’s needs. In reaching this conclusion, we have taken into account all relevant matters of which we are aware, including availability of working capital and have considered a future period of at least the next twelve months from the date on which the financial statements will be approved.
- 20 We confirm that in our opinion the effects of unadjusted misstatements are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements as a whole.
- 21 We confirm that there are no companies associated with this charity for tax purposes.
- 22 We confirm the following specific representations made to you during the course of your audit:
- a) All income has been recorded.
- b) We confirm that stocks at 30 June 2024 were £3,600.
- 23 We acknowledge our legal responsibilities regarding disclosure of information to you as auditors and confirm that:
- so far as each trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information to which you as auditors are unaware; and
- each trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that you are aware of that information.
We confirm that the above representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and expertise (and, where appropriate of supporting documentation) sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can properly make these representations to you and that to the nest of our knowledge and belief they accurately reflect the representations made to you by the trustees during the course of your audit.
Yours faithfully
Trustee: Helen Thomas …………………………………… Trustee: David Jay …………………………………………….
Signed on behalf of the trustees of Northern College of Acupuncture
**----- Start of picture text -----**
HSUS SCIENCESHEALTHUNIVERSITY = ij== Meealtpa PracttionersAssocaionrestate — ANSieewan AN peppyAOUbUnotUrecubuly
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Northern College of Acupuncture Registered Charity No. 1081184 Limited Company No. 2400056