‘Witchcraft’ hospital (National Hospital for Homeopathy) for chop?

Homeopathic treatments centre could face closure as part of NHS cutbacks

Published: 01 July, 2010
by TOM FOOT

IT is derided among medical experts as a ­centre for “witchcraft” – but could the NHS funding crisis spell the end for the National Hospital for Homeopathy?

The future of the building in Great Ormond Street, part of which was opened by Prince Charles in 2005, is hanging in the balance after the British Medical Association (BMA) told NHS bosses to stop funding its alternative treatments.

NHS Camden – the biggest spenders on homeopathy in the country with a £1.86million budget – has ordered an immediate review after a survey found patients ­supported proposals to decommission services.

Dr Tom Dolphin, deputy chairman of the BMA’s junior doctors committee, said: “Hom­eopathy is witchcraft. It is a disgrace that nestling between the National Hospital for Neurology and Great Ormond Street there is a National Hospital for Homeopathy which is paid for by the NHS.”

The alternative medicine, devised in the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, is based on a like-for-like theory where substances which cause symptoms in a healthy person can, when vastly diluted, cure the same problems in a sick person.

The National Hospital for Homeopathy, part of the University College London hospitals, has a contract with both Camden and Islington primary care trusts and has 30,000 outpatient appointments a year.

Elisabeth Alexander-MacIsaac, who lives in Gloucester Road, Primrose Hill, has been treated at the there for the last six years.

The 64-year-old physiotherapist, who developed ME after contracting meningitis, believes it is solely down to the hospital that she has retained her self-respect and autonomy in spite of her illness.

Ms Alexander-MacIsaac said: “I dread to think what would happen to patients like me if the hospital lost its funding. I think we would be very much at the mercy of a system that does no research into ME.

“Normal GPs are unable to treat ME successfully, but the Homeopathic Hospital is a different medical world altogether.”

During her care, Ms Alexander-Isaac received acupuncture and also natural remedies as treatment for ME, which she says has made it much easier for her to rest without feeling pain.

Liz Wise, acting chief executive of NHS Camden, said complementary medicine was part of an ongoing review of the £500m health services it commissions. 

She added: “An essential part of that review will be to seek the views and opinions of service users and wider Camden stakeholders.”

Comments

The very idea of the possible

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-07-12 18:05.

The very idea of the possible closure of this important hospital is very worrying. It has been invaluable to the Camden Community since its opening, and in fact to the country as a whole.
The wide medical treatment offered to patience must be invaluable, a large number of patients have already tried every other avenue of treatment and are given extra help and treatment.
Far from costing the N.H.S. extra expenditure it must be saving a large amount of money being spent on ineffective allopathic treatments.
Patients do recognise when the care they receive is effective, and they vote with their feet!!
Homeopathy is a very effective form of medicine ,and has helped people and animals for over a century.
As for the so called placebo effect , try telling that to animal!
Bear in mind that Science categorically states that Bee's cant fly!!!

Removal of Homeopathy form NHS

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-07-12 12:29.

BMA CONFERENCE RE HOMEOPATHY

What is it about Homeopathy that evidence based medicine (EBM) find so disturbing that it has now brought in the British Medical Association (BMA) to vote on a number of resolutions calling on the NHS to stop funding Homeopathic hospitals and treatments?
In the same way that that the Church in the 15th century could not integrate the Copernican heliocentric theory of the solar system into their rigid dogma, so EBM has refused to acknowledge any other system of healing other than their own.

Most of us are familiar with the propaganda the scientific opponents of Homeopathy have been actively promoting that there is a consensus of opinion that Homeopathy does not work.
However, have these opponents fully studied Homeopathic literature, met and talked to a suitable teacher, and followed Hahnemann’s extensive testing principles? Without this, the refutation of Homeopathy is without foundation, for under true open-minded scientific thinking, you have not studied the subject, and are thus in no position to judge.

Why should the dominant Goliath EBM be so afraid of the David Homeopathy? Why should EBM and the BMA deny patients the right of choice in their treatment? Not everyone responds to synthetic drugs, yet EBM insists on the “herd” principle that one drug fits all. It is interesting to note that iatrogenic illness, caused by the side effects of EBM drugs, is the 4th largest cause of death in the Western world. A statistic not held by Homeopathy.

A parallel to the war on Homeopathy is the European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products.
Legally, the Directive requires that the same pharmaceutical standards applied to conventional synthetic drugs, is applied to herbal products and has not taken into account the complex nature of very long-standing non-European medical systems.
As a result, it discriminates against the traditional medical systems of both China and Indian subcontinent which are integral to over one third of the world’s population.

Therefore, the same pharmaceutical standards applied to conventional synthetic drugs cannot be applied to Homeopathy for the simple reason it does not take into account the different nature of the workings of Homeopathy.

So the question has to be asked….What is your problem when it appears that all the “medical” cards are stacked in favour of EBM? Why deny the choice of treatment when the cost in miniscule in relation to EBM treatments? If Homeopathy is destroyed by EBM…what is next on the list?

'Witchcraft' Homeopathic Hospital

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2010-07-06 17:03.

The truth of the matter is that they have a very high percentage of patient improvement on homeopathic medicine and satisfaction. Added to this, the patients have suffered no side-effects and secondary problems brought on by the last medicine they were prescribed. If all the hospitals in the UK were homeopathic, this would save the NHS bill £millions each year as homeopathic remedies are dirt cheap compared with the cost of the drugs to the NHS.
Before knowall's villify this medicine, why can't they be man (or woman) enough to actually go to a qualified homeopath and try a remedy?
My eczema I had on and off all my life was cured with homeopathy - not with the sterioids I was given a few years ago, because it came back as bad as ever once the effect wore off.

Witchcraft" hospital for the chop?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2010-07-06 09:08.

I was shocked and dismayed to read Tom Foot’s article in the Camden New Journal, in which Alternative medicine is compared to Witchcraft. My blood curdled to know doctors can be so biased.

I will be forever grateful that my own GP did not have these closed views when I told him that “acupuncture might help”. He referred me to the National Hospital for Homeopathy where I have been treated for severe pains in my legs. It has not cured the arthritis, but the treatments have given me great relief.

Complimentary medicine is an alternative hope for thousands of patients with pain and problems, and I have been the fortunate recipient for over three years. My spirits are lifted just walking into the NHH in Great Ormond Street. My wonderful Homeopathic doctor listens. She understands and treats not only the pain, but the anxiety, depression, tiredness and frustration that pain causes. She has helped me not only with medicine and a life-changing course (in Autogenics), but with kindness and attention.

The feeling of well-being that I have as a patient of the Homeopathic Hospital is priceless. Please believe the many patients - worse or better off than I - who have experienced alternative ways of healing not only the problem, but the peripheral ones as well. WHERE ELSE WOULD WE FIND SUCH HELP? I join the many voices that plead for the survival of the life-giving National Hospital for Homeopathy of the NHS.
Thank you.

Aliki Brandenberg
(17 Regents Park Terrace NW1 7ED)

5 July 2010

Homeopathy Possible Science Basis Says Recent Nobel Prize Winner

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2010-07-05 16:35.

Ready to condemn and BAN Homeopathy as Witchcraft? Let me check the calendar, is this the year 2010, or 1010? Hmmm. Appears to be 2010,
the year in which a NOBEL PRIZE WINNER AND PROMINENT VIROLOGIST says that Homeopathy might have a scientific basis?

(See The Austrailian, July 5, 2010)

"Nobel laureate gives homeopathy a boost"

"A NOBEL laureate who discovered the link between HIV and AIDS has suggested there could be a firm scientific foundation for homeopathy. "

And yet.... the coordinated attacks from a bunch of unscientific sceptics, junior doctors and anti-alternative medicine book writers and bloggers somehow wants to replace scientific research with the priority and predominance of their MERE OPINION. How scientific, exactly is THAT?

Oh, Homeopathy may indeed be a chimera, though sticking one's head in the sand while calling it "placebo" is HARDLY the proper approach to analysis.
Why not let the research on it play out - we have after all, over 200 years worth of clinical reports, case studies and analyses, many of them by perfectly well trained MD's that their are significant curative healing effects occurring, for unknown reasons, by means of Homeopathy. And those MD's are neither quacks, fools, deceivers or tricksters, unlike the small cabal of vocal anti-alternative medicine fanatics who apparently feel that they can fool everyone else into thinking that their mere opinion is somehow worth more than everyone else's - and then, astoundingly, wish to make public policy based on THEIR mere opinion.

And THIS is the kind of scientific attitude shown by the pseudo sceptics and armchair scientists??

National Hosptial for Homeopathy

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-07-04 19:53.

Closing the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital would be an enormous loss to many many NHS patients of all ages, as well as the NHS itself. It is a lie that homeopathy doesn't work. Many patients turned to it and found relief or cure when other drug treatments available on the NHS failed, or when interventions went wrong. It dramatically improved the quality of life with people with serious and terminal illnesses. To close the hospital would therefore represent a significant lowering of standards of care and treatment. It would be a loss for users and non users of homeopathy, as the option is cut off from those who may otherwise have benefited in the future. On the contrary lessons should be learnt from studying NHS patients who have benefited from homeopathy and seek to extend those benefits to more patients. Why is it considered scientific to refuse to find out why many people have so obviously benefited from using homeopathy when nothing else helped them? Already and unfortunately homeopathy uses up a miniscule part or the NHS budget. Yet it is given so much attention, and is so viciously attacked. Why are the advocates of expensive drugs and interventions, many of them at best ineffective but many causing harmful even life threatening side effects so frightened of homeopathy? Why do they feel so threatened?

Homeopathic hospital

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-07-04 17:18.

I've used homeopathy and found it very effective for anything from severe pain in my back and hips to dealing with a stomach bug which caused vomitting. The debate on its effectiveness never takes account of the terrible harm and injury caused by pharmaceutical based medicine as well as the harm caused by the wrong drugs being prescribed. If that was publicised many fewer people would use those drugs. Homeopathy is safe and effective. Doctors funded by the big pharma are behind the attack on it.

It does work, there is ample proof....try here.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2010-07-04 16:17.

There are many many studies that prove it works, however, the remedies cost virtually nothing compared to the big multi-billion dollar pharma industry. The issue is that we don't understand the mechanism for how it works - we still haven't figured out gravity, but no one calls it "witchcraft".
-----------------
Albertini H, Goldberg W, Sanguy B, Toulza CL. Homeopathic treatment of dental neuralgia by Arnica and Hypericum. Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy, 1985, 3, 126-129. Carried out at the Faculty of Medicine of Marseilles, this placebo controlled study was designed to determine the effectiveness of Arnica 7C and Hypericum 15C for people suffering from dental neuralgia. 60 people received either 4 pilules of Arnica alternated with 4 pilules of Hypericum every 4 hours or placebo administered in the same way. Pain levels were assessed over 3 days from the beginning of the trial. From this assessment it was found that 12 of the 30 people who received the placebo had a positive response to this intervention, and 23 of the 30 people given the homeopathic medicines responded positively to these.

2. Alibeu JP, Jobert J. Aconite in Post-Operative Pain and Agitation in Children, Pediatrie, 1990, 45, 7-8, 465-6. In this double blind placebo controlled trial, 50 children suffering from post-operative pain and agitation were given either Aconite or placebo. The effects of Aconite were significantly better than placebo

3. Ammerschlager H., Klein P., Weiser M., Oberbaum M. Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract – comparison of a homeopathic complex remedy with xylometazoline. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2005, Feb, 12, 1,:24-31. In a multi-centre, controlled, cohort study, 739 people suffering from rhinitis or sinusitis were given either xylometazoline (a drug commonly used for nasal congestion, sinusitis and hay fever) or a homeopathic combination. Both forms of therapy provided similarly effective results

homeoopathy

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 19:06.

I am a beneficiary of years of sterling work by a consultant at the Royal Homeopathic Hospital, who steered me through post berevement debility and a severe illness.
Following results of rigourous tests he arranged for me he prescribed an excellent homeopathic remedy, which I still take today. Unlike some of the NHS remedies it is gentle and efficious. I bless that doctor today.now in a well earned retirement. Jackie Japhet

In Support of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 17:05.

I am a 58 year old woman living in Swiss Cottage. I asked my GP to recommend me to the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, after I had surgery to my ankle, which was not successful and left me and my ankle severely
traumatised. I cannot now walk without crutches, and have been in terrible pain 24 hours a day. I live on my own with no family to help and I had to give up my full time job and was unable to work. I had very little savings to live on, and was told that there was nothing that could be done about the
surgery mistake and I would have to get on with life.
My life went from active, full time work to not being able to walk. The medical profession could not offer me anything - suggested I take Ibuprofen and accept
I would most likely not be able to walk and ongoing pain.

I then contacted a chronic angry skin eruption on my foot and leg, which compounded the problem. I asked my Doctor if I could be recommended to The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital.
The treatment at the Homeopathic hospital treats the whole person, and is concerned with how the person can live a healthy life.

I was by this time severley depressed due to constant pain, not being able to walk or support myself, and not being able to get out to do any of the things I had been accustomed to.
The Dr. at the Homeopathic hospital treated the extensive skin disease and
within 4 months it was beginning to heal, and has not returned. The Doctor, then started treating the pain, depression and weight problems which ensued
from not being able to walk. The hospital has given me a lifeline (where there
was no other) to the possibility of a living a fulfilling life, which no NHS environment was capable of providing.
I am now working with my homeopathic Dr. on strategies for pain management and the homeopathic treatment is helping my day to day functioning enormously.
Homeopathic treatment is about treating the whole person.
All of the Doctors I have been treated by at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital are medically trained professional Doctors with a Homeopathic specialisation. Many medical Doctors specialise. It is insulting to call their knowledge and learning 'Witchcraft'?
It feels like the BMA is certainly on a 'Witch Hunt'.
The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital is the only Hospital I have been into in the UK that is run efficiently and treats people as intelligent human beings, helps patients take responsibility for your part in getting well and does not
squander tax payers money.

closure of Homeopathic Hospital

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 16:44.

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

Homeopathy

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 16:37.

WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A Homeopathy HOSPITAL IN CENTRAL LONDON AND MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN TREATED THERE BY A VERY GOOD DOCTOR FROM YEARS AND I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME ....I WISH IT COULD BECOME A DROP IN ONE DAY. I HOPE IT NEVER CLOSES. CAROLINA K.

Witchcraft

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 16:12.

What a pathetic comment to make by a so called practitioner of medicine.

The Homeopathic Hospiotal does fantastic work for 1000s of patients.
There is an outstanding facility for cancer sufferers and an acupuncture department that provides "miraculous" treatment according to my oncologist.

Until GPs have the answers we need alternative medicine.It works

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 16:07.

The NHS traditional system was not able to help me.
I had a number of allergies which were causing severe breathing problems and asthma- (I was using my inhaler 4 x a day)

The only solution they had was to give me a stronger dose of steroids! When I said no I want to solve the problem, not put a plaster over it (i.e wanted to stop the allergies which were causing my asthma they had no answer)

I begged for a referral to the Homeopathic hospital for allergy
injections. That was 4 years ago and I havent used my inhaler since.
I know alot of people who have been helped. and I know I have saved the NHS alot of money as I am no longer buying inhalers or seeing GPs for this problem.

Until the general NHS system has some answers for all the many things that GPs cannot treat, we need alternative medicine to stay

Homeopathy on the NHS

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 15:22.

There are over 140 double blind trials in homeopathy, and far more are positive than negative. There is also positive laboratory evidence and good audit and outcome studies.
Spending on homeopathy is small. The government can waste billions on swine flu vaccines that are wasted.
I have been to the hospital many times. It is a wonderful place. Not like other hospitals.
If it costs just over 1 million to fund the hospital what will happen to the patients. They will be put back into the system taking conventional medicine this will cost millions instead of a million.

Homeopathy

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-07-02 11:02.

High time too. I ride past the National Hospital for Homeopathy every day and it is astounding that the NHS finances something that has been proven to be worthless.

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