The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (formerly the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital) has announced that it will stop providing NHS-funded homeopathic treatments in April. Humanists UK, who has lobbied the Department of Health and Social Care to ‘blacklist’ all homeopathic treatments provided by the NHS, welcomes this announcement, which represents the bulk of remaining state spending on homeopathy coming to an end.
In a leaflet made available to patients the hospital states ‘from 3rd April 2018, The Royal Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) will no longer be providing NHS-Funded homeopathic remedies for any patients as part of their routine care. This is in line with the funding policy of Camden Clinical Commissioning Groups, the local NHS body that plans and pays for healthcare services in the area.’ In a quote to the BBC, a spokesperson for the NHS Trust has clarified that this means that ‘No NHS funding will be spent on homeopathic medicines at the RLHIM.’
The announcement follows the recommendation of the Board of NHS England in November that not only should prescriptions for homeopathic treatments be ended across the NHS, but that the treatment should be ‘blacklisted’ from being provided by the NHS at all. Without the treatment being provided by the RLHIM, NHS funding for homeopathy will be restricted to the areas around Bristol and Glasgow, with the former currently consulting on ending spending as well. State-funded Steiner Academies and Free Schools are also known to pay for homeopathy for their pupils.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented, ‘We are delighted by the announcement by The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine that it will end public funding of a pseudo-scientific “medicine” that for decades has failed to show any beneficial outcomes for patients. The Hospital has in recent years been responsible for the majority of state funding. This decision, in conjunction with NHS England’s recommendation to end homeopathic prescriptions, will make those pockets of funding that still remain in Bristol, Glasgow, and state-funded Steiner schools increasingly difficult to justify.’
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For further comment or information contact Richy Thompson, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at richy@humanists.uk or 07 81 55 89 636.
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/