Outcomes from a pilot study published on 26 July confirm homeopathy to be a useful treatment option for NHS patients.¹

Nearly 60% of patients who had received a series of homeopathy appointments reported an improvement in health that affected their daily lives.  A total of 1,602 patients were seen at follow-up appointments in all five UK NHS homeopathic hospitals during one month in 2007. The study found that patients receiving homeopathic treatment often have more than one main medical problem.

The study also found that eczema is currently the most common referral to homeopathy by NHS doctors.  Other commonly treated complaints were chronic fatigue, menopausal disorder and osteoarthritis.

Previously, outcomes from NHS homeopathic treatment have also been excellent: in 2005, the largest study of homeopathic treatment reported that 70% of 6,544 follow-up patients experienced improvement in their health.  Eczema, asthma, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, depression and chronic fatigue were most commonly treated - difficult problems suffered by many patients.²

The Faculty of Homeopathy recently welcomed Lord Darzi’s report, which puts patient choice at the centre of the NHS. Dr Sara Eames, President of the Faculty said, “The pilot is promising and confirms my own experience of treating NHS patients with homeopathy.  The homeopathic hospitals are conducting meaningful treatment and observation of patients that is absolutely in line with the recommendations of the Darzi Report.”

The homeopathic hospitals are pioneers in the field of integrated medicine provided by fully qualified medical practitioners and which provide the NHS a wide range of services for groups of hard-to-treat patients, combining the best of orthodox and complementary medical treatments. They have emerged as leading centres for an integrated approach to long-term conditions and are valued by patients and the GPs that refer them.

Homeopathy has never been so popular; currently 15% of the population of Britain trust it and over 30 million Europeans use it. 

Ends/….

CONTACT:        

Melanie Oxley
Media Consultant, British Homeopathic Association and Faculty of Homeopathy
0870 444 3950 / 0870 444 3955 / mobile 07975 978457 moxley@trusthomeopathy.org

Dr Elizabeth Thompson MRCP FFHom, Consultant Homeopathic Physician at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, is available for interview by phone on 07734 791830

Notes

• These pilot observations are informing a programme of standard setting for homeopathic care for all five homeopathic hospitals. Homeopathy enjoys a growing research culture. 34 PhD students are currently investigating complementary medicine in the UK.
  
• 45% of the peer-reviewed trials of homeopathy have been positive – only six trials were negative³
  
• The British Homeopathic Association and the Faculty of Homeopathy are taking forward a number of research initiatives in the medical and dental professions, which will help give the public and healthcare purchasers the evidence they need in order to continue accessing homeopathy for a wide range of conditions underpinned by clinical evidence.
  
• Members of the Faculty of Homeopathy are statutorily regulated health professionals who integrate homeopathy into their practice. Registered doctors have GMC registration and undergo the same revalidation procedures as their medical colleagues. The hospitals provide consultant-led services which take referrals from GPs and NHS specialists and are staffed by medical doctors who have qualified in homeopathy and other therapies such as acupuncture.

References

¹ Thompson EA, Mathie RT, Baitson ES, et al. Towards standard setting for patient-reported outcomes in the NHS homeopathic hospitals. Homeopathy 2008; vol 97:3 (July issue): pp. 114-121 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/14754916

² Spence DS, Thompson EA, Barron SJ. Homeopathic treatment for chronic disease: a 6-year university-hospital outpatient observational study. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 2005; 11: 793-798.

³ The Research Evidence Base for Homeopathy. Faculty of Homeopathy 2007. http://www.trusthomeopathy.org/pdf/Summaryofresearchevidence.pdf