To be horrified that you can get homepathic treatments on the NHS

[brightonlad]

It seems extraordinary that with the NHS experiencing major funding problems and people being turned down for treatments on the grounds of cost that we're paying for people to have this kind of therapy.
If you read the theory behind it it's obviously bogus and the results of all the trials that have been done have consistently shown it to be no better than placebo.
The only way to justify it that I can see is as a form of faith healing and I wouldn't expect my GP to tell me to see my Priest least of all make a generous donation to the roof fund.

Mrsruffullo

Sometimes objectively measuring the effect of treatment in large groups of people can be more meaningful than relying on what one individual persons opinion.

What is homeopathy used to treat on teh nhs? If it's stress, anxiety and mild disorders like that which could take up a lot of far more expensive drug and counselling treatment, then maybe it is a very good use of money.

LaurieFairyCake - The point of the NHS is to deliver cost-effective health-care to the majority not pander to the prejudices and beliefs of everyone.

So have you got a point other than pointing out that I don't know what I am talking about?
That seems to be your sole point on this thread, one which you have repeated several times.
What is your aim here?
I'll stop posting if it will lessen your burden you poor thing

Guys, lets keep it friendly - this is about attacking each others beliefs not personalities/articlacy!

If it was one individual persons opinion then it wouldn't have any impact at all.The fact is this treatment is in high demand within the NHS.
There are many reasons the NHS is losing money. I don't think this is a big one tbh

Mrsruffullo
Your posts read as if you think that the word homeopathy is interchangable with alternative or complementary therapy, I think that might be why proverbial questioning your posts.

brightonlad - it has nothing to do with prejudices or beliefs and everything to do with cost effectiveness.

Low level illness - tiredness/stress/anxiety/back problems etc can all be treated effectively with complementary therapies.

I've been trying brighton lad!
Was actually enjoying this discussion before the berating began but I think I'll bow out now.
Thanks for raising an interesting debate brightonlad

Cancer drugs are in high demand on the NHS, anti smoking schemes are needed, we have an obesity epidemic - surely these are more important?

When you consider the exhaustive hoops drugs have to go through before prescription on the NHS - not only that they have to work, but they have to be cost-effective... the idea we are paying any money at all for tablets made of sugar and water is dreadful.

I guess brightonlad that you think that I as a counsellor/psychotherapist am also a snake oil salesperson?

Again, proven to work but it is all about changing your internal beliefs and attitudes for better well-being.

LaurieFairyCake - this isn't about complimentary therapies in general, this is about paying for treatments that perform no better than placebo.

Of course I have another point, or did you not bother to read the majority of my post, or my first one?

I wasn't just saying you don't know the difference between homeopathy and complementary medicine, but that neither did a lot of people, and that it is very insulting to people who practice actual working treatments, who are qualified and regulated, unlike quack homeopathy.

Do bother to read the parts of posts that aren't all about you.

Then you need to look up on the internet what placebo means.

Getting well is not only about drugs and medicines.

YANBU

If people want to pay for nothing more thanm sugar and the placebo effect, that's their choice though, I guess.

The NHS shouldn't waste money on homeopathy though.

Placebos are an effective intervention - I accept that, but I can't see why they need to be this expensive.

Laurie

I know a few psychotherapists, and they would be horrified if anyone suggested that they were offering a placebo.

brightonlad, what do you want the nhs to spend money on to tackle an obesity epidemic?

They are generally cheaper than all other conventional medicine though.

Sarsparilla sugar pills are £3.75 in Boots (for pmt) - if there's women out there who think they work without having a visit to the doctor (£17.50 plus any drugs) then goodo.

Yeah, that's cool. But we don't need to spend £20m on a hospital in central london for that do we!

bigstripeytiger - sure I don't think I'm offering a placebo but neither do I care either - the whole point is that people believe they get more well.

The key thing about a psychotherapist is that they have proved they're offering something more than a placebo.

I know there is a difference between homeopathy and other complementary medicines, the reason why i was talking about them together was because The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital was being discussed and I was pointing out that this hospital offers a whole range of complementary therapies, Homeopathy is just one of them.