The British College of Functional Medicine Launches

A new non-profit organisation - The British College of Functional Medicine (BCFM) – has just launched, aiming to educate doctors who are interested in integrating functional medicine into their practices.

The BCFM will officially launch at the Integrative and Personalised Medicine (IPM) Congress on June 29 to July 1 in London, where doctors can learn more about functional medicine and whole-person patient-centred health.

Membership applications are now open and there are special discounts available for founding members. Those who join by July 1 will receive their first three months of membership for free.

Functional medicine is a biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease and chronic health conditions. It considers a patient's genes, medical history, environment, diet, and lifestyle to create personalised treatment plans.

The BCFM was established to empower doctors with the knowledge and tools to support individuals to take control of their health. The organisation strives to advance the science of functional medicine; promote its integration into mainstream healthcare; and foster a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to improving health outcomes for all.

Through membership to the BCFM, practitioners will have access to ongoing education and training programmes through monthly webinars and in-person conferences. They will receive regular invites to social and networking events with functional medicine specialists and peers, as well as resources to give to patients to help them take control of their health.

As an organisation, the BCFM will be running public awareness campaigns to enhance understanding of functional medicine. There are also plans to approach the government, with the hope of updating healthcare policy.

"The BCFM is a much-needed organisation that will lead the way forward for functional medicine in the UK," says former NHS surgeon and aesthetic practitioner, Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, who is the co-founder and vice president of the BCFM. "Research demonstrates that those with chronic diseases experience a lower quality of life, which often leads to other chronic conditions such as decreased mental health and general well-being. It's also costing the UK a huge amount – in 2019, £50.5 billion was spent on long-term chronic conditions. As doctors, we have the opportunity to work together using functional medicine practises to transform the nation's health and wellbeing."

As for why you should join the organisation, Dr Gooneratne concludes: "Joining the BCFM will ensure you get access to the very best education and resources to guide you on successfully delivering functional medicine strategies to your patients, while giving you the opportunity to be part of a change for good."

To join the BCFM, email info@bc-fm.org