Professional Referrals to Elder Roots

This page is for healthcare professionals, medical herbalists, complementary therapists and other practitioners who are considering referring or signposting a patient or client to Elder Roots.

Elder Roots provides individualised medical herbal care for adults, children and families. Referrals are welcomed for relatively straightforward health concerns as well as long-term illness, persistent symptoms and medically complex cases requiring careful review.

When a referral may be appropriate

A referral or professional signpost may be helpful when someone:

• is interested in exploring herbal treatment within a clinically informed setting;
• has persistent or interconnected symptoms that require a broad assessment;
• has several diagnoses, prescribed medicines or safety considerations;
• would benefit from a longer and more detailed initial consultation;
• is seeking support alongside appropriate conventional treatment;
• is living with or recovering from cancer and its treatment;
• requires an honest assessment of whether herbal treatment has a safe and useful place in their care.

Clinical approach

Assessment considers diagnoses, prescribed medicines, investigations and existing treatment alongside nutrition, sleep, movement, constitution, nervous-system regulation, stress, personal history, daily responsibilities and the patient’s own priorities.

Herbal medicines are individually selected where appropriate. Treatment may also include practical guidance around nutrition, sleep, movement, pacing and daily routines.

If further investigation, conventional treatment or referral to another professional is needed before herbal treatment is considered, I will explain this clearly to the patient.

Professional background

I am Karl Bedson, a Registered General Nurse, qualified Medical Herbalist and Higher Education lecturer in Clinical Herbalism.

I have more than three decades of experience across nursing, clinical practice and education, including palliative care, out-of-hours services, clinical triage, team leadership and senior nurse-practitioner work.

How to refer or signpost a patient

The simplest route is to share this page with the patient or client. They can then read about the practice, review the current fees and contact me directly if they wish to proceed.

A formal referral letter is not normally required.

If you wish to make a direct professional introduction, please obtain the person’s permission first and email karl@elderroots.co.uk with a brief reason for the referral. Please share only the minimum information needed at this stage. Detailed clinical records, medication lists and test results should not be submitted through the public website form; an appropriate route can be agreed if these are required.

An enquiry does not commit the person to booking. I will consider whether Elder Roots appears suitable, advise on the appropriate next step and explain the likely costs before treatment proceeds.

Consultations and fees

Consultations are normally provided online by Zoom throughout the UK. Local home visits may be available by prior agreement, depending on location, travel time and individual circumstances.

Initial consultations are usually around two and a half hours. The consultation fee also covers the clinical review, safety and interaction checking, treatment planning and individual herbal formulation undertaken around the appointment.

Concessionary fees are available in appropriate circumstances. Herbal medicines are charged separately where prescribed.