Following a lengthy public consultation by NHS Wirral CCG on the funding of homeopathy and Iscador therapy, the CCG has published a full report highlighting “an overwhelming majority consensus from the consultation respondents to cease funding Homeopathy and Iscador treatments in Wirral, from NHS funds.” The report will be discussed at the CCG’s Governing Body meeting on Tuesday October 4th, where the CCG will decide whether to join NHS Liverpool CCG in ending funding for these ineffective therapies.
The report on the consultation shows that only 48 respondents were in favour of the homeopathy service, with 1,224 respondents – 95% of those who expressed a preference – calling for the CCG to stop homeopathy funding. Among NHS Wirral GPs, 20 out of 22 wanted the homeopathy and Iscador services to end, with only one GP showing support for the services.
The Good Thinking Society, whose legal challenge led to the re-consultation and subsequent decision by Liverpool CCG to halt funding for homeopathy earlier this year, welcomes the report from NHS Wirral CCG and calls upon the Governing Body to follow suit and bring an end to homeopathy and Iscador funding in the region.
Michael Marshall, Merseyside resident and Project Director of the Good Thinking Society, said of the consultation report: “It is hugely encouraging to see such an overwhelming response to the consultation, and such a clear message from local GPs and members of the public that disproven treatments such as homeopathy and Iscador have no place in the NHS.
“The evidence is unequivocal in showing that homeopathic treatments are no more effective than placebo, and the public consultation showed that people believe limited NHS Wirral funds should be spent on treatments that are shown to actually work.
“We look forward to confirmation of the final decision of NHS Wirral CCG next Tuesday and hope to see an end to the funding of these ineffective services.”
Notes for editors
- Good Thinking Society – the Good Thinking Society is a registered charity set up by science writer Simon Singh to encourage curiosity and promote rational thinking. https://goodthinkingsociety.org/
- Homeopathy – homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of alternative medicine which relies on the notion that diluting a remedy increases the strength of the remedy, with the most powerful remedies diluted until they contain no active ingredient. It has been widely tested and the best evidence has consistently shown homeopathy to be ineffective. Despite this, the NHS currently spends an estimated £4m per year on homeopathy.
- Iscador – Iscador is a mistletoe-based herbal therapy believed by some proponents to be able to manage side effects related to chemotherapy, and believe by other proponents to have direct ‘anti-cancer’ properties. Despite what many people believe, Iscador is not a homeopathic treatment, and there is no good evidence that Iscador is effective for any condition.
- The work of Good Thinking is largely funded by its founder Simon Singh, but it also relies on donations from its supporters and the general public via its Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Good-Thinking
For more information, contact Michael Marshall, Project Director of the Good Thinking Society:
- email – marsh@goodthinkingsociety.org
- telephone – +44 7841 134 309
