Celebrating 175 years The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter November 2019 Public pressure forces the publication of the ‘hidden’ Australian report ampaigners have succeeded Interestingly, she went on to issue a in forcing Australia’s leading clarification in relation to the second Cresearch organisation to publish review, stating that it “did not conclude a report on homeopathy that it had that homeopathy was ineffective”. This tried to suppress. Its publication has been raises the question as to why the NHMRC hailed as “a major win for transparency did not try to correct the damning and public accountability in research”. reports to the contrary that appeared The 300-page draft report was in the media and repeated by anti- the result of a study conducted in homeopathy campaigners. 2012 into the clinical effectiveness of Rachel Roberts, HRI chief homeopathy by Australia’s National executive, said: “For over three years Health and Medical Research Council the NHMRC have refused to release (NHMRC), but the research body their 2012 draft report on homeopathy, decided not to make its findings Rachel Roberts, HRI chief executive despite Freedom of Information public. Instead, it commissioned requests and even requests by members a second review that concluded campaign calling on the NHMRC to of the Australian Senate. To see this homeopathy had no therapeutic value publish the first report, which resulted document finally seeing the light of beyond placebo. On publication in in tens of thousands of people signing day is a major win for transparency 2015, the review’s findings were widely an online petition and questions being and public accountability in research.” reported in the media as the definitive asked in the Australian Senate. As Keeping up the pressure scientific judgement on homeopathy. the NHMRC is publicly funded, the Although this is a significant victory and This inevitably caused untold damage AHA and the HRI also made a formal the conclusions of the first report are to the reputation of the therapy and to complaint to the Commonwealth encouraging, it is important to remember those who practise it. Ombudsman, calling on it to investigate this was only for five conditions and But on closer analysis, researchers the irregularities they had uncovered. not irrefutable evidence homeopathy in homeopathy soon discovered In August, the NHMRC finally works. Homeopaths, therefore, should fundamental flaws in the second study gave in to public pressure and released be mindful not to overstate how and began to suspect its methodology the 2012 report, The Effectiveness of “positive” the first report is, as this could had been specifically designed to Homeopathy: an overview review of undermine the scientific credibility of produce a negative conclusion. On secondary evidence. As expected, its those working to gain wider acceptance learning of the existence of the earlier findings are in stark contrast to the of quality homeopathic research. review, the Australian Homeopathic later study and conclude that there is The AHA and HRI are continuing Association (AHA) made repeated “encouraging evidence” homeopathy to keep up the pressure by acquiring requests for it to be made public, but works for five medical conditions, legal advice, facts, evidence and scientific each time the NHMRC refused. This while the evidence for the other analysis to maximise this opportunity lack of transparency only served to conditions reviewed was mainly and make sure the challenge to the arouse suspicions further that the inconclusive. NHMRC and its 2015 report continues scientific community and the public On making the first report to move in the direction the homeopathic were being misled. available, NHMRC CEO Prof Anne community wishes it to go. Public and political pressure Kelso explained her decision by The Ombudsman’s verdict on the The AHA, supported by the Homeopathy acknowledging the “considerable complaint made by AHA and HRI is Research Institute (HRI), launched a interest” in the hitherto hidden report. expected shortly. Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales EDITORIAL e all value enormously the Patricia Ridsdale The great homeopathic hospitals spirit and dedication of our are now all but gone. Is this a problem Wmembers in difficult times. or an opportunity? Going forward, One of our discussions at the summer how can we carve out a place for e-meeting of the members’ committee, homeopathy? Many ideas have been prompted by one of our longstanding put forward which, rather like Brexit, committee members, centred around has divided opinion. Although, unlike what we can all do to support Brexit, the division is not split into two homeopathy and our patients’ right to camps – leave or remain – but into choice in their healthcare. We know many, whose adherents have equally that homeopathy is a safe, economic polarised opinions about the future of and effective treatment choice across homeopathy. The therapy appears to many situations. be divided among supporters of many Many of us felt moved and seemingly conflicting approaches: motivated by the discussion to integrated, complementary, alternative, challenge our own views and classical, sensations, potency, polarity experience, and to perhaps move out of and many more. If we are to come our comfort zones to examine how we together, what needs to change and support our patients’ choice. how can we facilitate it? registration within their chosen We need spirit and daring to Do you have any thoughts on how professions. Some may feel this does challenge those who are not at the we can reach a consensus? What needs not matter, because at present one sharp end, who are not seeing and to happen? What can happen? How can be a homeopath without being can we practically achieve this? The caring for patients. This does not statutorily registered. However, a always mean speaking out publicly, but Faculty council wants to hear what you change in the Healthcare Act could have to say on this important issue, showing by example how healthcare alter that. Those who stay within the can be truly integrated. It is a privilege while remaining respectful of the structure of statutory registration are opinions of others even if you strongly to be a part of our patients’ lives, doing a valuable job, ensuring we have throughout their ups and downs, and disagree with them. representation and some support from Facing challenges in life can be to be trusted to offer help and advice inside these professional bodies. when needed. Randomised control uncomfortable but it’s not necessarily a Many of us need to maintain our bad thing, for without it change is well- trials may give a trend and provide registration to continue in the career evidence for the majority, but what nigh impossible. So let us meet the we love and the Faculty can help challenges we face head-on and move about the individual patient? facilitate this. A few years ago Dr An exercise was suggested: to on to an even better future. David Owen, Dr Sara Eames and the imagine and feel with all senses what then chief executive Cristal Sumner Dr Patricia Ridsdale homeopathy would look like in the put in many hours of hard work to Faculty vice-president ascendant. I found it partly freeing bring about Designated Body status Members’ committee convener and uplifting and partly depressing for the Faculty with the General and challenging. I think it helps to feel, Medical Council (GMC). This ensures taste, smell, hear etc. how things could that revalidation for GMC registered be, but the pathway and timeline to get doctors who practice homeopathy can there are certainly a challenge. be conducted by appraisers who have The Faculty is incorporated by Act knowledge and an understanding of Parliament to represent statutorily of the therapy. I know many of our registered healthcare professionals members value this. Editor: John Burry and we have been handed this legacy I’ve also been in contact with Consultant Editor: Sara Eames by the likes of Blackie, Twentyman, members who are in the Faculty’s new Faculty of Homeopathy Weir, Foubister and the like. They, too, membership categories: doctors who CAN Mezzanine , 49-51 East Road fought hard to establish the Faculty London, N1 6AH have the MFHom but have dropped Tel: 020 3640 5903 and hand the torch on to future their licence to practise medicine, and E: [email protected] generations. We need to take things those in the Affiliate category, medical W: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org forward and fight for homeopathy’s professionals from abroad eligible for All the material in this publication is copyright and may not place in healthcare as they did, but also statutory registration in their own be reproduced without permission. The publishers do not honour their legacy and not jeopardise jurisdictions who have completed a necessarily identify with or hold themselves responsible for contributors’, correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions. the basics. course of homeopathic study. They Those who want to continue to tell me they continue to feel valued and supported by the Faculty and Design, print and mail fulfilment by practise as doctors, vets and other HMCA Services Ltd. healthcare practitioners need to are still contributing their ideas and Tel: 01423 866985 maintain the qualifications and experience. Email: [email protected] 2 NEWS simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy Calls for a ban on German health insurance funding for CAM are ignored by health minister German health minister Jens Spahn German health minister Jens Spahn for homeopathic treatments by has said the country’s statutory health 2021, leaders of Germany’s Federal New law passed in insurance should continue to cover Association of Statutory Health Portugal to cover homeopathy. Insurance Physicians called for a ban Homeopathy and other on funds being used to pay for what it the practice of CAM complementary therapies, such as calls “useless pseudo pills”.