A member of the A.P.M.T. in the United Kingdom shall agree in writing to and thereafter abide by the following code of ethics:

(i) A Music Therapist shall always act in the best interests of the client. Among other things this should include:

a) Refraining from disclosure of confidential information obtained from or about a particular client except within the multi-disciplinary team responsible for treatment. Confidential information may be disclosed to students on placement, but only with the agreement of the relevant authorities (e.g. hospital, school).
b) Before using any verbal, written or recorded information acquired within the therapeutic relationship, for the purposes of publication, public presentation or broadcasting, the nature of the use of such material should be explained to the client (and/or guardian), and his/her permission obtained. The use of case material for articles in professional journals would not fall under this clause. In all cases anonymity should be respected.
c) Maintaining the client relationship on a strictly professional basis.
d) Maintaining communication with doctors and other relevant professionals and advising them of the nature and progress of treatment.
e) Seeking advice as necessary from other appropriate professionals.

(ii) A Music Therapist shall ensure that a satisfactory standard of professional competence is maintained. Among other things this will involve responsibility for:

a) Restricting his/her practice to within the limits of his/her own training and competence.
b) Undertaking when possible to attend any courses, conferences, lectures, etc., offered by appropriate organisations in order to extend his/her range of skills and knowledge.
c) Maintaining his/her own musical skills at the highest level of professional competence.
d) Ensuring he/she receives supervision of his/her clinical practice.

(iii)

a) When undertaking private treatment, a Music Therapist should ensure that a referral from a medical practitioner or from other professionals involved in the treatment of the client is obtained, unless this is judged to be inappropriate. In all cases, whether in private practice or other, the therapist should liaise as closely as possible with those involved in the treatment of the client and a case history should be obtained.

b) Dept. of Health circular hc77 33 Sept. 1977 reads as follows:

In asking for treatment by a therapist, the doctor is clearly asking for the help of another trained professional, and the profession of medicine and the various therapies differ. It follows from this that the therapist has a duty and a consequential right to decline to perform any therapy which his professional training and expertise suggests is actively harmful to the patient. Equally the doctor who is responsible for the patient has the right to instruct the therapist not to carry out certain forms of treatment which he believes harmful to the patient. (Summary Para.2 (ii)).

(iv) A Music Therapist shall conduct his/her affairs in a satisfactory manner. Among other things this will include:

a) Maintaining a fitting level of inter-colleague relationship, both within the profession, with those in other professions and with his/her employer.
b) Refraining from giving treatment whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs unless as prescribed by a medical practitioner.
c) Refraining from giving treatment unless mentally and physically fit to do so.
d) Refraining from delegating duties to unregistered persons, except in the case of Music Therapy students in training, in which case full responsibility must be assumed by the therapist for that delegation.
e) Refraining from committing any criminal act in the practice of his/her profession.
f) Providing suitable premises and conditions for the treatment of clients.
g) Insuring the clients against all risks while on the therapist's premises. Therapists working in private practice should have malpractice insurance.
h) Acceptance of the minimum current rate recommended by the A.P.M.T. for private sessions.
i) Ensuring absolute hygiene of instruments and equipment, both for the therapist's and client's benefit. Advice about current hygiene practices should be sought from the A.P.M.T., hospital pharmacy or other appropriate source.
j) Legacies and Gifts: Music therapists should not solicit for personal financial gain. They should neither offer nor accept tokens such as favours, gifts, legacies or hospitality which might be construed as seeking to promote undue influence. Where relevant they should adhere to guidelines or procedures published by Employing Authorities.

Disciplinary Procedure:

Breaches of the code of conduct may be dealt with by a disciplinary sub-committee of the Executive; this committee will include the Chairperson of the A.P.M.T. Membership of the A.P.M.T. may be terminated.