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I am writing with regards to the Homeopathic Hospital which faces closure as part of NHS cutbacks

In my experience this would be a great shame, as I have experienced great help and relief from the facilities the Homeopathic hospital offers. I have a number of chronic conditions, which are not catered for well or at all on the NHS. In fact their solution of prescribing drugs to alleviate the pain causes significant long-term damage, which will cost the NHS far more than the funding of this provision!

I am also concerned about the lack of patient involvement in these decisions even though it is the patients who will be the ones to suffer the consequences. Surely there is convincing evidence of the help that is offered to patients by this service, otherwise NOT available on the NHS. Furthermore, the motions being put before the BMA will curtail patient choice at a time when government says it wants to widen patient choice and access, and encourage a patient-centered NHS,

The motions being put before the BMA council are inappropriate and are outside its remit as a trade union.

I understand that the BMA has not consulted homeopathic doctors, professional bodies or patients before proposing such resolutions. More absurdly still is that the motions fail to respect the professionalism of the BMA’s own members who also practice homeopathy

I'm sure you’re aware that the NHS spends very little on homeopathy, but it often helps patients who have not been helped by conventional methods and who have chronic, multiple health problems like me. Since homeopathic medicines account for only 0.001% of the NHS drugs budget this is very cost effective to the NHS.

Yours sincerely,

Lily Markiewicz