Alternative therapies are to be made available on the NHS for the first time to patients in Northern Ireland.
Surgeries in Belfast and Derry will operate a £200,000 (€300,000) pilot scheme described by the authorities as the first of its kind in the UK.
The initiative is intended to offer relief or help to people suffering from musculo-skeletal problems as well as depression, stress and anxiety.
Patients will be offered a range of complementary and alternative therapies, including osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage and homeopathy.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said that the fund, which will be administered by non-profit organisation Get Well UK, would give patients the widest and safest possible choice: "This initiative puts Northern Ireland at the forefront within the UK in exploring and delivering a model that genuinely embraces complementary and alternative therapies within mainstream healthcare. It will allow those in need to have it when they could not easily afford it privately."
The scheme will run for a year before an evaluation is carried out to decide whether to extend the therapies across Northern Ireland. - ( PA )
