General Naturopathic Council - London

Shahid Bukhari

The General Naturopathic Council is an invaluable organisation for both naturopathic associations and practitioners. As a regulatory body, it ensures high standards in naturopathy, supporting the growth and professionalism of the field. The GNC's dedication to promoting holistic health and providing a robust platform for practitioners has been truly commendable. Their work helps practitioners like myself feel supported, ensuring we can continue offering the best care for our clients. I highly recommend GNC for anyone involved in naturopathy or seeking a trustworthy organisation for guidance in this important area of health.

harsh agarwal

My experience with the General Naturopathic Council (GNC) has been nothing short of disheartening and disappointing. As an accrediting body responsible for upholding standards in naturopathic education, I expected the GNC to act with professionalism, fairness, and transparency. Unfortunately, my dealings with them have revealed a disturbing lack of these qualities.

Failure to Address Serious Allegations
I approached the GNC with a fully evidenced complaint regarding unprofessionalism, discrimination, and retaliation at the Natural Healthcare College (NHC). Rather than receiving a fair and thorough investigation, my concerns were met with dismissiveness. The GNC failed to address the majority of my allegations, including potential breaches of National Occupational Standards (NOS). Instead, they seemed more interested in protecting the NHC, casting serious doubts on their commitment to maintaining educational and professional standards.

Lack of Transparency
One of the most troubling aspects of my interaction with the GNC was their refusal to provide access to the accreditation guidelines, even when faced with serious complaints. Transparency is crucial for maintaining trust, and the GNC’s unwillingness to share these guidelines raises significant concerns about the integrity of their accreditation process. How can an accrediting body be trusted to ensure standards are met when they refuse to disclose the criteria by which those standards are judged?

Conflict of Interest and Bias
The GNC’s handling of my complaint was further compromised by a clear conflict of interest. The principal of NHC, Caroline Gilmartin, who was the subject of my complaint, also holds a significant position within the NNA (Naturopathic Nutrition Association), another accrediting body involved in this matter. Despite this obvious conflict, the GNC did not take steps to ensure an impartial investigation. This raises serious questions about the GNC’s ability to independently and fairly oversee the institutions it accredits.

Incompetence and Lack of Accountability
In one of the most telling admissions, Caroline Gilmartin herself mentioned that the GNC is "run by volunteers who give up their time to promote Naturopathy, not deal with disgruntled students." This statement alone speaks volumes about the GNC’s lack of competence in handling serious organizational matters such as student complaints. It is deeply concerning that an accrediting body responsible for maintaining educational standards is not equipped to handle the very issues it is meant to oversee.

Conclusion:
The General Naturopathic Council has failed in its duty to provide impartial oversight and protect the interests of students. Their lack of transparency, failure to address serious allegations, and apparent conflicts of interest make them a deeply flawed organization. If you are considering an institution accredited by the GNC, I urge you to think carefully about the potential risks involved. My experience has left me with serious doubts about the GNC’s commitment to upholding the standards they claim to protect.

Olivier Sanchez

As a registered naturopath and naturopathic nutritional therapist — and a member of the Naturopathic Nutrition Association —, I automatically qualified to join the GNC.
Plus, I get a free and active listing of my practice on their website, allowing me to reach thousands of people, something I could never achieve alone.

The GNC is the regulator of Naturopathy in the UK. It makes sense for a naturopath or naturopathic nutritional therapist to be part of it.

Since joining, I have had access to all CPD events across the country (and not only those accredited by the NNA). This allows me to pick and choose the right event, strengthen my knowledge, keep up with the latest research from the most prominent speakers, and effortlessly exceed my CPD allowances.

I recommend all naturopathic practitioners in the UK join the GNC and come together as a community.

Vishnu Kumar

Eugene Dugbartey