Legal challenge to NHS homeopathy medicines 'ban' dismissed
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The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter August 2018
Legal challenge to NHS homeopathy
medicines ‘ban’ dismissed
T
he British Homeopathic although it did contain the case for
Association (BHA) has failed in homeopathy as put by scientists,
its legal challenge to get NHS doctors and patients, it is preposterous
England’s decision to stop funding to think the public were going to read
homeopathic medicines overturned. a complex report of over 275 pages
Last year, NHS England to help inform their response to the
recommended doctors should consultation.”
no longer prescribe a number of She added: “It appears NHS England
treatments, including homeopathy, that can fail to engage with patients
it said provided little value. The BHA properly on removing services and get
believed it had identified serious flaws away with it. That is not good enough,
in the way the health commissioning for it is important to remember that the
authority consulted the public on this real losers in this case are the patients
issue and sought a judicial review. The who are now being refused a treatment
Faculty of Homeopathy supported the on which they have come to depend.”
BHA’s legal challenge and was named in The media has been reporting that
court papers as an interested party. as a result of NHS England’s decision
The case was heard by the and the BHA’s failed legal challenge
Honourable Mr Justice Supperstone at BHA chair, Margaret Wyllie Clinical Commissioning Groups
the Royal Courts of Justice. The charity’s (CCGs) will ban GPs from prescribing
main claims against NHS England were genuinely engage with the public on homeopathic medicines. However, the
that the consultation misrepresented important decisions about healthcare Faculty understands that this is not the
homeopathy and therefore was unfair; provision.” case, as CCGs cannot prevent GPs from
and a report used in the consultation to Although 18 medicines were under prescribing any medicine unless it has
inform the public was so complicated review the only negative statement in agreement from the practice lead.
it would deter rather than encourage NHS England’s press release promoting In the coming weeks GPs may
people to respond. its public consultation was about receive a form from their CCG’s
Although the judge found there homeopathy. Medicines Management Team. They
were sufficient grounds for a judicial “The statement was so prejudicial will be seeking support on a number
review, after four days of lengthy legal it was widely reported in the media of issues including ceasing to prescribe
arguments he dismissed the claims. that the decision to deny patients homeopathic medicines, along with
Margaret Wyllie, BHA chair, said homeopathic medicines had already other treatments covered in the 2017
the case highlighted how health been taken. How the judge failed to NHS England consultation. But unless
bosses were unfairly manipulating recognise that this was a deliberate the form is signed by the practice
the consultation process and making attempt by NHS England to unfairly lead any recommendation from NHS
decisions about healthcare services influence the public is astonishing,” said England or the CCG is unenforceable.
without genuine patient engagement. Mrs Wyllie. Members seeking further
“That NHS England attracted fewer “The only information about information on this matter should
than 3,000 responses from patients to homeopathy that NHS England contact the Faculty’s NHS Primary
a national consultation that ran for provided was an outdated report that Care representative Dr Gabriella Day at
three months highlights its failure to was critical of the therapy. And g.j.i.day@doctors.org.uk
EDITORIAL
T
he High Court’s rejection for the new membership categories,
Greg White
of the British Homeopathic which are Affiliate of the Faculty of
Association’s legal challenge to Homeopathy (AFHom) and Diplomate
the 2017 NHS England consultation, of the Faculty of Homeopathy
which recommended GPs end the (DFHom).
routine prescribing of homeopathy, is Affiliate membership is open to
a serious blow to all who want to see doctors and/or members of registered
patient access maintained and medical UK health professions who do not
homeopathy thrive. hold a licence to practice from the
As an organisation of healthcare GMC or equivalent body, but whose
professionals, with some members still qualifications are registerable and wish
working within the health service, we to join the Faculty’s membership. The
have to be concerned that the High new DFHom category is for healthcare
Court’s decision may jeopardise the professionals who hold qualifications
future of remaining services in England recognised in the jurisdiction where
and limit the clinical freedom of they practice, but which are not
members working in general practice. registrable in the UK.
The likelihood is that detractors Squaring the circle of our modest
will now resume pressure on the resources and international ambitions
Department of Health (DH) to blacklist The long-term future of any was a key element discussed at the
homeopathy, just as they unsuccessfully registering body relies on its ability recent Faculty strategy day. Council
tried to do back in October 2015. The to recruit new members, and with colleagues met in London in June
Good Thinking Society has already healthcare professionals being to reaffirm our core commitment
picked up on the Faculty’s guidance to denied the opportunity to practise to patients and our stewardship of
GP colleagues that they may choose homeopathy within the NHS, we homeopathy through the recruitment
to ignore NHS England and are calling have in recent years faced problems of future generations of practitioners.
for the DH to add homeopathic attracting students to our training The success of Congress in Liverpool
products to the NHS blacklist for exactly courses. Recruitment of new members this coming October will be in part
this reason. There is also the risk of a to our ranks could now become even due to the presence of colleagues
domino-effect from the judge’s ruling more problematic. After all, if clinicians from as far afield as Japan, Australia,
that could negatively influence events cannot prescribe, why train? There are, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the United
in Scotland. of course, a number of answers to that States, Canada and elsewhere. The
All this poses a direct threat to the question and the situation is actually far Faculty’s international and national
continuation of training of healthcare from all doom and gloom. representatives are sure to be busy
professionals in homeopathy. While not To a certain extent one can argue hosting our guests and identifying
diminishing the impact of the High that the NHS’s withdrawal from teaching and research partnership
Court’s ruling, the Faculty has been homeopathy matters little to UK opportunities around the world.
taking steps to adapt to a future should patients, given that the medicines Undeniably, homeopathy is facing
NHS homeopathy no longer be available. are low-cost and widely available a challenging period but there are
over the counter. Many users can opportunities for it to survive and
afford to pay for consultations. Many thrive. As an organisation we remain
Faculty members are already in committed to supporting our members
successful private practice. Perhaps, within the NHS in their efforts to
most important of all, the Faculty’s practise according to their skills and
Editor: John Burry international standing provides it with experience, while at the same time we
Consultant Editor: Greg White a clear competitive edge. The Faculty is are planning for a future when, sadly,
Faculty of Homeopathy the leading homeopathic organisation that may no longer be possible.
CAN Mezzanine , 49-51 East Road in the world, and despite the challenges Next year the Faculty of
London, N1 6AH Tel: 020 3640 5903 faced in the UK and Europe there are Homeopathy celebrates its 175th
E: simile@facultyofhomeopathy.org still many parts of the world where anniversary. Members can expect to
W: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org homeopathy is long established and hear more about our preparations
growing. Reaching out to healthcare to mark this important milestone in
All the material in this publication is copyright
and may not be reproduced without permission.
professionals globally is the key reason our history in the coming months.
The publishers do not necessarily identify with the Faculty has already moved to adjust Throughout our long history we have
or hold themselves responsible for contributors’,
correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions.
membership eligibility criteria, and has survived many turbulent periods – and
developed a waiting list of potential we are going to survive this one too.
Design, print and mail fulfilment by HMCA members. The Faculty’s Responsible
Services Ltd
Tel: 01423 866985 Officer, Dr David Owen, has been asked
Email: enquiries@hmca.co.uk to head up information, advice and Greg White
guidance in terms of quality assurance Chief Executive
2
NEWS simile • August 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Veterinary homeopathy is
debated in parliament
The Royal College of Veterinary importance of scientific trials, he went
Surgeons’ (RCVS) policy on on to say that in recent decades there
complementary medicines that has been a tendency in science to
effectively bans vets from using neglect the basic skills of observation
homeopathy as a first line of treatment and instead just resort to narrow
has been debated in parliament. statistics, which can sometimes miss
The issue was raised by homeopathy’s things that are important.
stalwart supporter in Westminster Then in what appeared to be a
David Tredinnick MP, who opened the criticism of the RCVS, Mr Eustice said it
debate by informing the House that was not the royal college’s role to make
the three main points of contention decisions on veterinary medicines or
were the guidelines issued by the treatments. He went on to confirm
RCVS that complementary medicine George Eustice MP, Minister for that although homeopathic medicines
should only be used in conjunction Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
are not assessed for efficacy, they are
with conventional medicine; the tested for quality and safety. “Their use
RCVS’s assertion that there is a lack of to the situation in Germany, where is therefore lawful,” he said.
evidence supporting the effectiveness the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Nevertheless, he stated that in talks
of complementary medicine and has stated it “… supports the use of between the RCVS and DEFRA it is his
therefore its use could endanger homeopathic remedies and the free department’s understanding that the
animal welfare; and the lack of choice of therapy for veterinarians”. On RCVS is not banning vets from using
consultation by the RCVS before it the question of the scientific evidence of homeopathy, but it should only be
formulated its new policy. he informed the House that 41% of used to complement conventional
Mr Tredinnick dismissed the RCVS’s trials were positive, which was almost treatments.
animal welfare claims by repeating an the same as the figure for conventional Mr Tredinnick said the minister’s
earlier statement from the Department medicine (44%). attendance during the debate and his
for the Environment, Food and Rural Finally, Mr Tredinnick quoted department’s conversations with the
Affairs (DEFRA) that it had no evidence the Prime Minister who in response RCVS indicates the “deep concern” in
that homeopathic vets present a risk to to his own question on whether DEFRA about this issue. He called on
animal health. homeopathic vets should be allowed the RCVS to take note of the views
An intervention by Jim Shannon to decide on how they treat animals, expressed in parliament and of the
MP (DUP Spokesperson for Health) said “… those who are professionally public demonstrations in support
raised the concern about the overuse able to make these judgements are left of homeopathic vets, and engage
of antibiotics in animals and suggested to make them”. with representatives of the British
that “anything that can prevent the “We should mark the Prime Association of Homeopathic Veterinary
introduction of antibiotics can only be Minister’s words,” Mr Tredinnick Surgeons to come up with a solution
a good thing and must be given full concluded, “and agree that properly that is acceptable to everyone.
consideration”. In reply, Mr Tredinnick regulated homeopathic vets should be
said the use of homeopathy has free to make up their own minds.”
Responding at length to the
been one of the most successful
ways of reducing the dependence of debate, George Eustice MP, Minster
A date for your
antibiotics in farming. for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, diary in 2019
Addressing the placebo argument first said he didn’t have any strong
The Faculty of
frequently cited by opponents of convictions one way or the other
Homeopathy’s Annual
homeopathy, Mr Tredinnick said on this issue, but recognised the
General Meeting
in relation to livestock farming consensus among the veterinary
will take place in London on
“… Buttercup and Daisy do not profession is one of scepticism.
understand the double blind placebo- Mr Eustice did, however, refer to Thursday 21 March 2019
controlled trials”. He then said that conversations he has had with
farmers would not waste money on homeopathic vets in his Cornwall The venue will be
something that does not work. constituency who have told him they announced nearer the time.
Mr Tredinnick also highlighted have seen positive results for a number
All members are welcome.
how the RCVS is out of step with other of conditions.
countries on this matter by referring Although acknowledging the
3
NEWS
Senator challenges controversial Australian CAM research
Research used by the Australian journal Advances in Integrative Medicine.
government to justify its decision to Senator Griff has asked if the Health
cut the Private Health Insurance rebate Department is intending to respond to
for complementary therapies is being these criticisms.
challenged by senator Stirling Griff. The NHMRC’s review of homeopathy
Most Australians with private health has been mired in controversy since it
insurance currently receive a rebate from was published in 2015. As it was funded
the Australian government to help cover by the tax-payer the review is being
the cost of their premiums. But from investigated by the Commonwealth
April 2019 the rebate will no longer be Ombudsman following complaints of
available for a range of natural treatments serious scientific procedural flaws and
including aromatherapy, herbal medicine bias. The senator wants to know if the
and homeopathy. The government’s results of the review in homeopathy
decision follows a review of natural
conducted by the NHMRC were adopted
therapies which concluded there is no
by the Health Department in its broader
clear evidence demonstrating the efficacy
review of complementary therapies.
of such treatments.
Senator Stirling Griff He has also asked the Therapeutic
The senator’s intervention mirrors
Goods Administration, the regulatory
growing public concern that natural
controversial review of homeopathy. body for health products in Australia,
therapies are being targeted to undermine
their popularity with patients and The 2016 Natural Therapies Review a series of questions covering its
consumers. Supporters of complementary examined 17 of the most popular proposals to change the regulation
therapies believe the review and other forms of complementary therapies and of low risk products, which could see
studies on which the government concluded they lacked evidence of clinical complementary medicines removed from
is basing its decision were designed effectiveness. Among the questions the Australian Register of Therapeutic
to deliver a predetermined negative Senator Griff has asked the Health Goods and therefore no longer regulated
outcome. Department is how clinical effectiveness as medicinal products.
Senator Griff is seeking answers from was defined for the purposes for the According to the industry body
the Federal Health Department about the review? Complementary Medicine Australia,
integrity of its review of natural therapies Following publication, the 8.52-million Australians (70% of the
and from the National Health and Medical methodology used for the review population) are regular users of
Research Council (NHMRC) in relation to its attracted wide-ranging criticisms from the complementary therapies.
Campaign calls for NHMRC to release suppressed report
Faculty members are being urged to the NHMRC conducted its homeopathy given to this evaluation,” he said.
support a campaign to force Australia’s review, the most alarming being they “Overall, a lot of excellent work has
leading medical research body to actually carried out two reviews and gone into this review and the results are
publish a report that many believe only published the second. presented in a systematic, unbiased and
could show there is reliable evidence The first report was never disclosed convincing manner.”
supporting homeopathy as an effective to the public, and knowledge of its But despite repeated FOI requests,
treatment for some medical conditions. existence only came to light through the NHMRC continues to refuse to
In March 2015, the Australian Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. release the first review.
National Health and Medical Research The NHMRC says an earlier review was As the NHMRC and the work it
Council (NHMRC) published a review rejected because it was “poor quality”;
does is funded by Australian taxpayers,
of the research in homeopathy that this is despite it being undertaken by a
the Commonwealth Ombudsman is
concluded “…there are no health reputable scientist who is the author of
investigating allegations of scientific
conditions for which there is reliable the NHMRC’s own guidelines on how to
misconduct, procedural breaches,
evidence that homeopathy is effective”. conduct evidence reviews.
The review’s negative findings were Further FOI requests revealed bias and conflict of interest in relation
widely reported around the world as that Professor Fred Mendelsohn – a to its homeopathy review. In the
conclusive evidence that homeopathy member of the NHMRC’s expert meantime, supporters of homeopathy
doesn’t work for any medical condition. committee overseeing the review around the globe are being asked to
However, an investigation by the process – considered the missing sign a petition to get the NHMRC to
Australian Homeopathic Association report to be of high quality. release the first report to the public.
and the Homeopathy Research “I am impressed by the rigour, To support the campaign visit
Institute found serious flaws in the way thoroughness and systematic approach https://releasethefirstreport.com
4
NEWS simile • August 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Faculty journal Don’t miss out on the 2018
increases its Congress – book today
Impact Factor
For the second year running there
has been an increase in the number
of times articles published in the
Faculty of Homeopathy’s journal
Homeopathy have been cited in
articles in other peer-reviewed
publications. The figure known as
the Impact Factor (IF) has risen from
1.16 to 1.524, which represents a 52%
increase in the number of citations.
An IF is used to determine the
impact a particular journal has
in a given field of research and is
therefore widely used as a measure
of quality. The latest IF assessment for
Liverpool waterfront
Homeopathy covers citations during
2017 for articles published in the
previous two years (2015 and 2016). While Britain swelters in an unusually hot from this clinical field will be Peter
Dr Peter Fisher, Homeopathy’s summer, many Faculty members have Gregory, Geoff Johnson and Chris Day.
editor-in-chief, said: “Naturally the already made plans for the autumn by Those who attend the Faculty
editorial team is delighted by this booking their place at the 2018 Faculty Congress often return as they find it
of Homeopathy Congress. such a rewarding experience both
news. This success is due to the
Registrations have been brisk for the professionally and socially.
quality and international nature
biennial congress, with this year’s theme Dr Ekaterina Mishanina said: “I’m
of research and other content we
“Homeopathy: connecting our global going to congress to spend time with
publish. So I thank all those who have
community” reflecting the international likeminded people and share the
contributed such high quality papers, line-up of speakers and bookings from experience of homeopathic practice. I’m
maintaining the journal’s position as delegates who will be travelling to the looking forward to presenting for the
the world’s foremost publication in three-day event from abroad. first time and to the presentation by Dr
the scholarly study of homeopathy. Greg White, Faculty chief executive, Frei, as I’ve been using polarity analysis
I would particularly like to thank said: “We are delighted that international with good success for the last two years.”
our senior deputy editor, Dr Robert registrations continue to increase and Nurse Karen Hooton said: “Where
Mathie for all his hard work.” look forward to welcoming delegates else do you get to see so many national
First published in 1911 as from as far afield as Brazil, Japan and and international speakers offering
the British Homoeopathic South Africa.” exciting new ideas in homeopathic
Journal, Homeopathy is the only Whether travelling from near or practice. It’s a chance to expand your
homeopathic journal indexed by far, delegates will hear presentations knowledge during the day, as well as
Medline, with over 100,000 full-text covering all the medical disciplines meet old friends and make new ones at
downloads per year. In January 2018, from an impressive programme of the social events in the evening.”
publishing responsibilities for the international speakers, including Dr She added: “Being with people
Heiner Frei (Switzerland), Dr Spiros who ‘get’ what you do and why you
quarterly journal moved to Thieme,
Kivellos (Greece), Dr Ronald D Whitmont do it creates such a buzz, the renewed
an award-winning medical and
(America), Dr Annette Sneevliet (The energy for homeopathy lasts long after
science publisher.
Netherlands) and Dr Raj K Manchanda everyone has gone back to their own
Greg White, Faculty chief
(India). practices. So why wouldn’t you be
executive, said: “Moving to a new The programme also features many there?”
publisher can be difficult, but the leading homeopaths from the UK: The 2018 Faculty of Homeopathy
decision we took last year is certainly Dr Peter Fisher, Dr Elizabeth Thompson, Congress takes place from 11 to 14
paying dividends. I would therefore Dr Bob Leckridge, Dr Jonathan Hardy October at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza
like to thank everyone at Thieme and Dr Julie Geraghty, to name just a hotel. Tickets are selling fast, so for more
for the part they are playing in the few. Veterinary homeopathy is also well information and to book your place visit
journal’s continued success.” represented and among the speakers https://fohcongress2018.co.uk
5
NEWS
Dr John English 1934 – 2018
One of the Faculty’s longest-standing children anxious to avoid taking drugs “I am grateful to John for inspiring
members has died. Dr John English wherever possible. me and so many others by his passion
joined the organisation in 1966 and at “As well as showing how homeopathy for homeopathy; for his generosity
the time of his death had maintained could be integrated into NHS general in sharing what he knew; and
his membership for over half a century. practice, John also taught me encouraging so many to find and
He was an early pioneer in integrative Autogenic Training (AT) – an eight- follow our own medical healing path
medicine as well as a dedicated and week course in deep relaxation and through life. His energy, enthusiasm and
gifted teacher of homeopathy. stress management – which I found pioneering spirit will be greatly missed.”
After graduating in medicine in invaluable, and I still use and teach AT Two former Faculty presidents also
1957 he did his national service in the to this day. have fond memories of Dr English.
Royal Army Medical Corps. Returning to “Many doctors practising Dr Sara Eames said: “John was an
civilian life he set up in general practice homeopathy today passed through early and very important inspiration
and as a GP became interested in John’s GP practice and were for me in my homeopathic career.
how he could use complementary encouraged by his determined stance When I first became interested in
medicine alongside his conventional on homeopathy and alternative homeopathy I attended his weekend
medical skills, introducing a range of methods for health and healing. teaching sessions at his GP practice
therapies including homeopathy to Many were inspired to follow in his near Hillingdon and it was probably
his clinical repertoire. In recognition of pioneering wake and set up their own thanks to his teaching that I decided
this innovative approach to treating centres. He was one of the few doctors to study homeopathy full time.
patients he was awarded a Fellowship to attempt to spread the knowledge Later, when I became involved in
of the Royal College of General and use of homeopathy within the education at the former Royal London
Practitioners. Royal College of General Practitioners. Homeopathic Hospital, John continued
In 1998, Dr English was made a Today, sadly, that tide seems to have to teach on the fast track course
Fellow of the Faculty of Homeopathy completely turned. for a number of years. A minority of
for his long commitment to teaching. “I later joined with a number of students found his teaching style too
Even at the age of 80 he was still other doctors and vets in setting up challenging, while others found his
eager to pass on his knowledge to the Homeopathic Physicians Teaching dramatic rendition of the different
students of the healing art, publishing Group (HPTG), a three-year modular constitutional types extremely helpful.
a collection of his homeopathic poems course in homeopathy for doctors, vets I know that John devoted untold hours
under the title of Enjoy Learning and nurses in Oxfordshire. John joined to developing his teaching methods
Homeopathy. us and his innovative teaching style and he certainly played a major role in
He taught homeopathy for over soon became legendary. Whatever inspiring a number of current Faculty
40 years, including as a lecturer at our bewildered GP students may members. I will always be grateful to
what was then the Royal London have privately thought, they certainly him for his inspiration and devotion to
Homeopathic Hospital (RLHH). Several never forgot his provocative talks homeopathy.”
Faculty members have fond memories and unconventional methods! He Dr Helen Beaumont remembers
of Dr English’s unique and inventive remained with HPTG for ten years. Dr English as “a committed and
teaching style, including Dr Alice Greene. However, working in a ‘team structure’ passionate teacher of homeopathy
“I knew John for 36 years and never came easily to John who always with a great skill in combining his
remember him with affection,” she said. remained a great individualist and general practice and homeopathic
“He was one of my first homeopathic sadly in the end disagreements led to knowledge. He taught with flair and
teachers at the RLHH. I recall the drugs a parting of our ways. Nevertheless, enthusiasm; his poems and vignettes
bill at his NHS Hillingdon GP practice John continued to go wherever he was of certain homeopathic medicines will
being the lowest in the area owing to invited and share his own inimitable always stay in my mind.”
the prescribing of homeopathy, and the teaching methods, right up until his The Faculty’s thoughts are with
surgery attracted many mothers with final illness. John’s wife, Wendy, and all his family.
The Faculty’s Twitter account has 5,539 followers
Keep up with the conversations
Log on to http//twitter.com/fohhomeopathy
6
NEWS simile • August 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
We are GDPR compliant
The General Data Protection personal data of its members and has received an e-mail seeking confirmation
Regulation (GDPR) came into effect ensured it is fully compliant with the that they wish to continue receiving
on 25 May 2018. The new legislation new legislation. We never pass on electronic communications from the
is designed to protect the personal members’ personal data to third parties Faculty of Homeopathy. Any member
information of individuals across the without the permission of individual who in future decides they no longer
EU and also addresses the export of members and would never sell this wish to receive e-mails from the
personal data outside the EU. information to a commercial or any Faculty can unsubscribe and their
The Faculty has always taken other organisation. e-mail address will be removed from
very seriously its duty to protect the All members should by now have our lists.
Victory for patient choice in Australia
News that the federal government in Australia is allowing a more holistic approach to their healthcare.
pharmacies to continue selling complementary medicines Federal health minister Greg Hunt delivered the
has been heralded as an important victory in protecting government’s response at the Australian Pharmacy
patient choice in healthcare. Professional Conference in May. Following the announcement,
In June last year, a report by a national advisory body Petrina Reichman of Your Health Your Choice said consumers
recommended all natural medicines and treatments, were relieved their concerns had been listened to and the
including homeopathy, should be banned from pharmacies minister had decided to keep natural medicines on pharmacy
or have restrictions placed on their sale. shelves.
A report by Australia’s Productivity Commission concluded “Two in three Australians use some form of complementary
that complementary medicines “should be held in a separate medicine and the people who use it will tell you it is effective
area within the pharmacy” to avoid consumers mistaking for them and their families,” she said.
them as having the same evidence base and efficacy as “The World Health Organisation supports natural medicine
conventional medicines. The report was even more scathing as an important part of the healthcare system and there is a
in its view of homeopathy, suggesting the availability of growing body of good quality clinical research studies around
homeopathic remedies in pharmacies afforded them a the world to show efficacy and effectiveness.”
legitimacy they didn’t deserve. Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) conducts
However, the recommendations were met with fierce regular audits of the country’s natural medicines sector.
opposition, orchestrated by the campaign group Your Health According to CMA’s latest full audit in 2016 the Australian
Your Choice. Almost 80,000 people signed a petition calling industry has seen sales double to A$4.7 billion in just over
on the government to protect the individual’s right to choose three years.
7
NEWS
NHS Grampian increases homeopathy spending
A row has erupted following news that a Scottish health board
increased its spending on homeopathic prescriptions in the last
financial year. The amount NHS Grampian spent on homeopathy
rose by 9% from £177,072 in the previous year to £193,533 in
2016/17.
But the news has drawn criticism from Tom Mason MSP for
North-east Scotland: “At a time when some patients are being
denied some treatment because of cost, I understand the
public’s concern at money spent on homeopathy.
“The head of NHS England described it as ‘at best a placebo’
and at worst a misuse of public funds. Health boards in Fife, Forth
Valley and Lanarkshire don’t spend any public money on this kind
of treatment.”
However, a spokesperson for NHS Grampian defended the
expenditure on homeopathy.
“We have a clinical and ethical responsibility to consider all Tom Mason MSP criticised NHS spending on homeopathy
treatments available to NHS patients to ensure they offer safe,
evidence based, effective and person-centred care,” she said. She said: “The amount of money spent on homeopathy is a
“We also have a responsibility to use NHS resources carefully tiny fraction of the health board’s budget but of enormous value
and balance our priorities across the population as well as to the patients who are benefiting from the treatment, many of
individuals, and a legal responsibility to deliver services within our whom are elderly, have chronic health conditions or suffer adverse
fixed financial budget. Homeopathy can be considered in this reactions from conventional medicines.
arena and we remain connected with the wider debate on its “Without conducting a cost/patient-benefit analysis for any
role within the NHS, whilst regularly reviewing our local support replacement treatments how can politicians or anyone else
for such services within NHS Grampian.” know if homeopathy is good value or not? At a time when there
Margaret Wyllie, chair of the British Homeopathic Association, is growing concern about the overprescribing of antibiotics and
highlighted how homeopathy was benefiting patients in other drugs, the Scottish government should be investigating
Grampian and called for the Scottish government to investigate how homeopathy and other complementary therapies can be
how complementary therapies can actually save the NHS money. used to help reduce the NHS’s spiralling drugs bill.”
CIC nursing team up for prestigious award
The nursing team at the NHS Glasgow person-centred model that considers by using HeartMath-type techniques,”
Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) has the complex interactions of biological, she explains. “The group sessions help to
been shortlisted in the Nursing Times psychological and social factors in breakdown feelings of isolation, while the
Awards for its work managing long-term understanding health, illness, and teaching of new breathing techniques
conditions. The prestigious annual awards healthcare delivery. makes patients feel more relaxed and
celebrate the very best in nursing and Following an assessment at the promotes restorative sleep.
the CIC team is being recognised for its CIC’s out-patient clinic, patients are “All these subtle changes combine to
Holistic Day Service Model project that given the opportunity to join a three- enable patients to feel more in control of
supports patients in the self-management day programme led by a clinical nurse their health and care, empowering them
of chronic conditions. specialist that offers gentle body
to live more fulfilling lives.”
On hearing of the team’s nomination and stress awareness classes, illness
The nursing team comprises two
the CIC’s clinical lead, Dr Jacqueline management classes, individual therapy
full-time and one part-time clinical nurse
Mardon, said: “This is wonderful news sessions, facilitated peer support and one-
specialists who work closely with doctors,
and well-deserved recognition for the to-one support.
a physiotherapist and a complementary
nursing team’s excellent work in this field Dr Mardon says patients who have
of healthcare.” taken part in the project have reported therapist to provide ongoing integrative
Patients using the innovative service feeling better about themselves, have a care from conventional medicine to
are aged between 20 and 80 and typically greater sense of confidence and more homeopathy and other complementary
suffer from several long-term conditions, motivation to make the small changes that therapies.
including diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue improves their quality of life and well- The winners of the Nursing Times
syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, being. Awards will be announced at a ceremony
functional neurological conditions, “These changes can be dietary or taking place on 31 October 2018 at the
depression and anxiety. lifestyle, such as walking the dog or Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane,
The Holistic Day Service adopts a learning to change negative thoughts London.
8
VIEW POINT simile • August 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Notes from a
Photo: Khakimullin Aleksandr/Shutterstock.com
small practice
In the latest article in career of a 26-year-old woman with
apparent premature menopause – hot
consultation skills to medical students.
Many of my patients value me because
her series Dr Margaret flushes and amennorrhoea – following of this medical knowledge and I
Reid shares her chemotherapy. She menstruated 28
days after taking Sepia and now has
deliberately demonstrate it. I try to
share conventional medical knowledge
approach to running a children. I presented it as an example and make an effort to examine patients
of how even a first-year could do when appropriate. I have fair academic
successful practice. remarkable healing. From that patient’s knowledge (and envy those with more)
I
find myself in the position of having perspective, I was a very good and enjoy CPD learning with peers.
run a homeopathic practice for homeopath, indeed. My learning is predominantly led
about 20 years, despite still feeling I have long wondered how we by the needs of the patients I see. I
a “junior”. With this series, it has been judge ourselves and each other. Which have managed cases for over 20 years
my intention to share this experience, of us is the most successful? One could and have learned much from this, such
encourage other homeopaths and to do exuberant marketing, charge high as not to take on a new patient with
stimulate discussion in the Faculty about fees to huge numbers of patients, eczema just before I go on holiday,
getting on with doing homeopathy. prescribe one remedy and never see for its quite common for eczema
I have felt sad at times to see some any of them again. That could be patients to react strongly (sometimes
colleagues year after year attending considered successful and might pay for alarmingly) to our remedies. When I
Congress and seminars but never quite a glamorous lifestyle! Personally, I am in prescribe for this condition, I inform the
making the leap to work as a homeopathic awe of our teachers who have beautiful patients there may be a reaction and
physician. Homeopathy needs you (and cases, demonstrating the use of new or guarantee to be available for advice and
I suspect you need homeopathy). unusual remedies with long follow-ups. support during the first weeks.
We are all impressed by our That is success of another sort, which I I teach medical students who have
esteemed teachers who present definitely admire. self-selected to look into alternative
cases and Materia medica learning so I am coming to the conclusion medicine. I run my practice with the
beautifully. But this can have negative that good homeopathic doctors intention of making people feel as
effects, leaving some students have different attributes that we all comfortable as possible. In doing this I
questioning their own knowledge possess to varying degrees. We each have reflected my own experiences as
and ability in contrast to the teacher’s use those we possess in the best a patient. For example, I used to consult
far superior erudition and experience. possible way, leading to very different a very old homeopath in Edinburgh.
I remember once, in Italy, a student styles of practice. I’ve drawn up a I’d drive up from Newcastle to see him,
suggesting to Dr Massimo Mangialavori list of attributes and you may like to but always had to stop off before the
that he must have a really successful consider which you have and in what consultation as I never learned where
practice given all his knowledge. proportion? his toilet was! So I now show each new
Massimo laughed at this and joked about patient the cloakroom at their first visit.
the height of his pile of uncured cases! 1. Academic homeopathic knowledge So, finally, I just wanted to suggest
Of course, he presents the cured cases 2. Consultation skills, especially the that we all have different skills to
because that is how he learns the use of empathy include in our practice and we should
remedy, extracts its themes and can 3. Homeopathic experience and choose to value them, because I’m
therefore teach it to his students. But management of cases sure our patients do. As homeopaths
sometimes I would love to hear him and 4. Medical knowledge and experience all we can do is practise with integrity,
other teachers talk about their “failures”. 5. Skills at administration/business nurturing our individual skill-mix and
Probably we all wish we knew 6. Using your practice as a learning then our practices will be “successful”.
more Materia medica and had more and teaching tool For more information about
therapeutic strategies to use with our 7. Enjoyment my practice and how I present it to
patients, but it is important not to be potential patients, please visit
paralysed by feelings of inadequacy. Applying my own criteria to myself, I www.drmargaretreid.co.uk
At the Faculty’s Edinburgh Congress am an experienced GP of many years
I presented a case from early in my with natural empathy who teaches Dr Margaret Reid
9
CASE STUDY simile • August 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
The
Michelin
Photo: ricochet64/Shutterstock.com
woman
Dr Stephen Caulfield and radiotherapy for her cancer,
brittle asthma, hypothyroidism, fluid
5mg at night (had been on for
years), Amitriptyline, Amiloride,
is a speciality doctor retention, multifocal MRI abnormalities Fluoxetine 40mg daily, Dicycloverine,
of uncertain cause, previous pseudo- Hydroxychloroquine 200mg twice a
at the NHS Centre seizures, sleep apnoea syndrome, day, Desloratadine, Gabapentin 600mg
for Integrative Care, chronic generalised pain affecting three times a day, Levothyroxine Sodium,
muscles and joints, discoid lupus Prednisolone 20mg daily, Salbutamol
Glasgow. of skin, renal impairment, anaemia inhaler and nebulisers when required,
T
his is both a simple and of chronic disease, diabetes Morphine sulphate continus 20mg
complicated case, but perhaps mellitus and previous pulmonary twice a day, Sevredol 10mg as required
they all are. The remedy in thromboembolism. and Azathioprine for her discoid lupus.
question appears to have done good She also has pseudo-Cushing’s
Background
work and therefore worthy, I think, to syndrome due to long-term steroid
inform you about. At only ten months use for her asthma and discoid lupus, KG is a former Marie Curie nurse who
the follow up is still relatively short and, recurrent chest infections, post- worked previously in the community
as always, time will tell. traumatic stress disorder related to and then on night-shift at a hospice
The case is of KG, a 60-year-old childhood sexual abuse, poor mobility before medical retirement over 13 years
woman who has been attending the with falls, depression, marital problems, ago. She lives with her husband who is
NHS Centre for Integrative Care in previous alcohol excess, osteoporosis, supportive. However the couple have
Glasgow for many years. She has had irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent had quite a stormy relationship at times
several admissions over a number vomiting, hypertension and obesity. and she admits she can be “huffy”.
of years to our former ward to try She has one adult son from a previous
Medication with selected doses, at
to help her with her chronic poor relationship but they are estranged.
time of remedy given
health arising from multiple medical She has a very plethoric skin
conditions. Seretide 250 Evohaler, Doublebase appearance with a fierce gaze. She has
gel, Warfarin, Metformin, longstanding partial alopecia. She is
Past medical history Bendroflumethiazide, Lansoprazole, overweight with puffy peripheries and
Left breast cancer 2014, left arm Montelukast, Potassium Chloride central obesity. She walks with the aid
lymphoedema following surgery MR, Prochlorperazine, Diazepam of a walking stick.
11CASE STUDY
Mentals been having supportive telephone she was “delighted”. She was having
consultations with her as she lives problems with swelling on the left side
KG is prone to bouts of anger and dips
twenty five miles from our centre. of her face and neck, which had been
in her mood. She can have passive-type
investigated and thought to be due
suicidal thoughts. She has a strong
to discoid lupus plaques in this area.
fear of snakes but over the years I
Otherwise she was much the same. The
have known her this has ameliorated.
outreach nursing team from the local
This may be due to the several snake
hospice had started to visit.
homeopathic remedies she has tried
during this time. She has always had She had a recurrent Roused from slumber
psychic-type ability. She states that
when somebody known to her dies,
nightmare a few Considering her extremely poor health
status her use of the word “delighted”
she knows that she will see them years ago of waking sounded incongruous. For the past 18
afterwards at some point. She gives an
example that a few weeks after a man
up in her bed next months I had heard during our phone
calls only further deterioration and her
died, she saw him sitting on a bench to a decomposing slide towards death seemed inevitable.
at a retail park. These occurrences have I had started to steel myself when I
happened so often, especially with her corpse. This was at a phoned, half expecting her husband to
previous work as a Marie Curie nurse,
that she is not scared or surprised by
time when she was inform me that she had died. It was as
if a circle had been completed with the
them. It can be years after the death especially struggling former Marie Curie community nurse
that she will see the person.
with issues related to now being visited by the outreach
Dreams Hospice team.
previous childhood The word “delighted” jarred with
She had a recurrent nightmare a few
years ago of waking up in her bed sexual abuse. In the me. I did not associate this word with
her. It slapped me in the face and woke
next to a decomposing corpse. This
was at a time when she was especially
months before she was me up.
struggling with issues related to prescribed the remedy One word repertorisation
previous childhood sexual abuse. In
the months before she was prescribed she said she had a few Now, in general, I’m not an advocate
of one word repertorisations. I had
the remedy she said she had a few horrendous dreams. previously analysed KG’s case in all
horrendous dreams. The worst one was the ways I am familiar with – using
of the Devil. It took place in a cemetery The worst one was of this method and that method – but
and there was a type of ceremony or
ritual going on. The Devil was dressed
the Devil. nothing had borne fruit. Basically this
case has told me there’s no right or
up in a ceremonial outfit with an wrong way to get to a helpful remedy.
ornamental headpiece. All the people in I simply put the word “delighted”
the dream were worshipping him. She in my homeopathic software which
thinks it involved a sacrifice of some uses the Complete Repertory 2018. No
type. She was present in the dream but Health deterioration rubrics matched. I shortened the word
she can’t remember in what context. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts search to “delight” and 15 rubrics were
She says the dream was all about death. her health had gradually deteriorated revealed. Six of these rubrics showed
At the time she had this dream she says and she had become practically the name of the plant remedy Stillingia
she had been admitted to Intensive housebound. Her mobility had sylvatica, otherwise known as Queen’s
Care with a severe chest infection and worsened and she required a manual delight. A penny dropped.
had almost died. wheelchair, which her husband pushed Michelin man
Homeopathy on the seldom occasions she left her
house. She had recurrent hospital Throughout the years that I had known
She was tried on many remedies admissions for infections of her skin, her she had a habit of saying she felt
over the years which included snake urine and chest. She said for four like the “Michelin man” with her obese
remedies as previously mentioned, of these admissions between June body shape, puffy limbs and often
the insect remedies Apis and Vespa, 2016 and June 2017 she had been in bloated abdomen. She said she felt as if
and a few plant remedies such as intensive care and it had been touch she had a spare tire around her midriff.
Euphorbium officinarum. She only ever and go whether she would survive. She had often struggled to get up on
had partial results. In fact I had given to her feet if lying on the bed during
up trying to find a good remedy for Telephone follow-up her previous inpatient admissions and
her after so many attempts over several 13 June 2017 tended to roll herself towards the side
years. For the past 18 months or so She said she’d got a humidifier and this of the bed. I had always wondered
before the current remedy I had simply was helping her breathing. She said about her repeated description of
12CASE STUDY simile
simile
• August
• May 2018 • The Faculty of Homeopathy
Stillingia sylvatica
herself as the Michelin man. She would I had blindly entered the realm of the affected left hand. I wondered if this
often describe tightness in her chest Syphilitic miasm without realising it – infection was consistent with Hering’s
from her asthma and a tightness in her the miasm of lost causes and death. The Law and her vital force was producing
lymphoedema-affected left arm. This word “delighted” had bathed her case a fire, to burn her internal rubbish, at a
had led me a couple of years earlier in light. peripheral site. I asked her to continue
to give her the cancer miasm remedy on the same dose.
according to Sankaran from the Prescription
Euphorbiaceae/rubber plant family: Over five months later, telephone
I recommended Stillingia sylvatica 30c,
Euphorbium officinarum. follow-up 09 April 2018
one pill daily. I thought she needed a
The sensation according to lower potency with frequent repetition The first thing she says is: “I couldn’t
Sankaran for this family is: “Tied to try to stimulate her slumbering vital wait for you to phone”.
and untied. Bound and unbound. force in the face of her multiple medical She then goes on to report: “I’ve
Hidebound.” Unfortunately this remedy conditions and low energy state. now lost seven stones in weight despite
failed to make a great deal of difference. eating thousands of calories a day. I’ve
When previously describing the Telephone follow-up
went from a dress size 24 to a size 16.
different sensations of tightness in her 30 October 2017
I was at a funeral the other day and
body I had thought it was consistent She said the reaction had started slowly, my trousers for the funeral were four
with an inflated tense rubber tyre, and then reported: “For the past five weeks sizes smaller but they are still too big.
hence why I had been interested in her I have felt even better than I did before The knock-on effect on the rest of my
repeated use of the Michelin man simile. I had health problems. My breathing health has been amazing. My mobility
Stillingia sylvatica is normal. The pain is under control. and breathing are better. I’m in the
This is the syphilis miasm remedy from My mobility is perfect. Without doing best place I’ve been for a long time. I’m
the Euphorbiaceae or rubber plant anything I’ve lost over four stones in getting out and about and living life to
family according to Sankaran’s Schema. weight. I can’t believe it. There is no the full. I have been through shit in the
Here I was thinking she was at death’s mark of lupus on my skin.” last few years. I was at death’s door four
door. I had given up, thinking her case The only problem she informed times. I’m now happy. I’ve cut down
was hopeless. I had adopted a palliative me of was that she was on her third on loads of medication. I’ve hardly any
care approach to her and she was now course of antibiotics for an infection of pain. I stopped the remedy three weeks
accepting this from the local hospice. one of the fingers of her lymphedema- ago as I don’t think I need it any longer.”
13CASE STUDY
Apart from taking the remedy genito-urinary organs, throat (pharynx, Interestingly, the phrase KG used, “I
she had not started any other larynx, and trachea), mouth, head, and have been through shit in the last few
new treatments which could have bones. years” is supported by the one remedy
contributed to the improvement in It is especially known for the bone pains rubric about sewage given above.
her health. She informed me she had of syphilis: My own resignation and sense of
stopped her long-term Diazepam at helplessness in trying to solve her case
night. She had halved her Morphine • Generalities; pain; bones; syphilis, in is understood by studying some of the
sulphate continus to 10mg twice a day. • Generalities; pain; bones; night; mind rubrics of this remedy:
One down point was that a few syphilis, in
weeks earlier she had slipped when • Mind; dreams; tunnels, of; end,
using a commode while her husband It is therefore understandable why without
Sankaran places this remedy in the
was in the bathroom and her right arm • Mind; fear; disease, of; incurable, of
had been badly cut on a wicker box. syphilitic miasm.
being
The injured arm had required a plastic
• Mind; sadness; future, about
surgery review and it was felt she would
need skin grafting. However, after This syphilitic state, which on
initial dressings the plastic surgeon had reflection had been transferred on to
been amazed at how well the arm was
healing. They removed surface necrotic
However, after initial me in my dealing with her, is a reminder
to be aware of the effect our patients
tissue and told her that underneath dressings the plastic are having on us as we truly are often
there had been “perfect healing” and mirroring their state as we grapple with
skin grafting was no longer required. surgeon had been their case.
Stillingia sylvatica – botanical amazed at how well Indeed, it could be proposed that
Information Stillingia has a particularly strong
the arm was healing. reflecting quality. It is also known as
Natural Order: Euphorbiaceae or Rubber
Plant Family. Common names include They removed surface Silver leaf. Although the moon is not
found in any of its rubrics, we find
Queen’s delight, Queen’s root, Silver necrotic tissue and told mind rubrics relating to water and
leaf, Yaw root and Cockup hat.
Found in the USA and growing in her that underneath wolves:
sandy soils from Maryland to the Gulf • Mind; dreams; water
of Mexico, this plant was named in
there had been
• Mind; dreams; water; lakes, of
honour of Dr Benjamin Stillingfleet. It ‘perfect healing’ and
is a perennial herb. Its stem if broken • Mind; dreams; water; rivers
gives out an acrid milky sap. It grows to skin grafting was no • Mind; dreams; wolves
a height of two to four feet and flowers longer required. • Mind; dreams; wolves; werewolves
from April to July. The flowers are
yellow, on a terminal spike. It is interesting that one of KG’s
Stillingia sylvatica – Materia most troublesome conditions is discoid
medica lupus, with lupus being Latin for wolf.
It was for this condition that she had
It is a relatively large remedy containing Materia medica discussion
been mainly taking suppressive daily
2,084 rubrics in the Complete Repertory The hopeless and despairing state steroids. It could be postulated that
2018. associated with the syphilitic miasm is a deep part of her being has been
It’s abbreviation in the repertory supported by a number of interesting finding expression through her life-long
is “Still”. The best traditional resource mind rubrics for this remedy: psychic abilities and more recently
for Stillingia is A Dictionary of Practical
• Mind; dreams; attacked, of being: showing itself by marking her skin
Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke.
through lupus. This may also help
He writes of its characteristics: • Mind; dreams; blackmail, of:
explain her supernatural dream about
Still has long been a popular remedy
• Mind; dreams; darkness: the Devil.
for syphilis in the southern states of
U S. T Y Simons introduced it into • Mind; dreams; dogs; attacked by: Conclusion
professional medicine, and Hale to • Mind; dreams; lost, being I hope this case has shone some light
homeopathy.
• Mind; dreams; lost, being; mazes, in: on the remedy Stillingia sylvatica.
H R Frost, A B Nichols, J M
Follow-up continues, but for KG it
Cunningham, and others proved it, • Mind; dreams; sewage; struggling appears to have started a transformative
chewing the root or taking the tincture. through:
process and it has reminded me of the
One prover chewed the bark. The
• Mind; dreams; streets are blind alleys power of homeopathy.
proving shows an action closely parallel
with that of syphilis, attacking the • Mind; dreams; tunnels, of; end, without Dr Stephen Caulfield
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