Positive Homoeopathy News (Bristol East Liberal Democrats)

Bristol East Liberal Democrats <info@bristoleastlibdems.org.uk>

Positive Homoeopathy News

March 11, 2009 11:13 PM

Homeopathy The Health Minister in Northern Ireland decided on a soft launch for the results of the complementary medicine pilot project and has made the independent evaluation report available to download on the Department's website. As well as an extensive report with detailed responses from patients, GPs and practitioners, using a validated audit tool, focus groups and surveys, the report has made recommendations about the way forward.

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/complementary-alternative-medicine.htm

The Results:

Following the pilot, 80% of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms, 64% took less time off work and 55% reduced their use of painkillers.

In the pilot, 713 patients with a range of ages and demographic backgrounds and either physical or mental health conditions were referred to various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies via nine GP practices in Belfast and Londonderry.

Health improvement

• 81% of patients reported an improvement in their physical health

• 79% reported an improvement in their mental health

• 84% of patients linked an improvement in their health and

wellbeing directly to their CAM treatment

• In 65% of patient cases, GPs documented a health improvement,

correlating closely to patient-reported improvements

• 94% of patients said they would recommend CAM to another patient

with their condition

• 87% of patient indicated a desire to continue with their CAM

treatment

Painkillers and medication

• Half of GPs reported prescribing less medication and all reported that patients had indicated to them that they needed less

• 62% of patients reported suffering from less pain

• 55% reported using less painkillers following treatment

• Patients using medication reduced from 75% before treatment to 61% after treatment

• 44% of those taking medication before treatment had reduced their use afterwards

Health service and social benefits

• 24% of patients who used health services prior to treatment (i.e. primary and secondary care, accident and emergency) reported using the services less after treatment

• 65% of GPs reported seeing the patient less following the CAM referral

• Half of GPs said the scheme had reduced their workload and 17% reported a financial saving for their practice

• Half of GPs said their patients were using secondary care services less

Despite initial scepticism, the GPs involved were almost unanimously

in favour after seeing tangible results. In 99% of patient cases GPs

said they would refer the patient, or a different patient, to the

scheme again and in 98% of cases GPs said they would recommend the

service to other GPs. However, they also called for more information

to help build their understanding of CAM therapies.

Press Reports

The Report has already generated some press interest, even though there is no news yet about the way forward:

Homeopathy and acupuncture backed for NHS funding