Health Department set to crack down on 'alternative health practitioners'

THE Department of Health is considering the introduction of strict procedures for the registration of alternative health practitioners after the death of a 49-year-old man in Mayo.

A department spokesperson said regulations governing what it described as "complimentary therapists and alternative practitioners" was under investigation by a working group and a report on the matter was expected within months.

Paul Howie died in April 2003 after being choked to death by a cancerous tumour in his neck. He had been treated by Mineke Kamper, a therapist based in Mulranny, Co Mayo. He is the second patient to have died under Ms Kamper's care.