Following the historic decision by NHS England to bring to an end to decades of public spending on disproven and ineffective alternative remedies, including homeopathy, the British Homeopathic Association has announced it will be bringing judicial review proceedings against the NHS in a bid to reverse the decision.
Humanists UK and its members have campaigned against the funding of homeopathy and other so-called ‘complementary and alternative medicines’ on the NHS for many years, and in recent years has celebrated the gradual withdrawal of funding from various NHS trusts.
In November, NHS England voted to defund homeopathy prescriptions, and recommend the total blacklisting of homeopathy to Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt. Humanists UK organised a public petition to Mr Hunt, which it sent to him this month, supporting the NHS’s position.
Commenting on the news, Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson said:
‘Homeopathy has long been proven to be a pseudoscience, and one which has no place in an evidence-based, publicly funded health service. In the context of extremely scarce NHS funds, it’s completely right for the NHS to bring wasteful homeopathy spending to an end.
‘Rather than accept the scientific evidence or respect the position the NHS finds itself in, the British Homeopathic Association is now putting further financial pressure on the health service. We think this is deeply regrettable and shows a lack of concern for the NHS as a public service which millions of us rely on for effective treatment in times of need.’
Despite the NHS England decision, homeopathy still continues to receive funds in Scotland, London, and South West England. Humanists UK will continue to push for a fully evidence-based approach to public spending and public health, alongside the charity Good Thinking Society.
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For further comment or information contact Richy Thompson, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at richy@humanists.uk or 020 7324 3072.
Read more about Humanists UK’s campaign work on ‘complementary and alternative medicine’: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/homeopathy/
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk/