The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter January 2009 New hope ... · smle The Faculty of Homeopathy...
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New hope for homeopathy in Northern Ireland IN THIS ISSUE: News 1-6 Research update 7 Annual review 11-22 Case studies 23-26 Events 27-29 s m le The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter January 2009 On Thursday 11 December a Faculty delegation met with the Northern Ireland Health Committee at Stormont to discuss the possible integration of homeopathy into the health service there. The meeting comes after much hard work by local GP Gary Smyth along with other Faculty members Ken Kerr, Kathleen Savage, Faculty Chief Executive Cristal Sumner and Northern Ireland Liaison Officer Audrey Kerr to put together a comprehensive report and business plan to submit to the Committee. Peter Fisher and Sara Eames flew into Belfast to attend the formal evidence session, despite a very slippery Gatwick causing havoc with flight times. Initial indications from the Health Committee are positive, suggesting that they think a homeopathy service is long overdue. During the hour-long session the delegation presented various potential models for integrating homeopathy into the NHS in Northern Ireland. The inequity which exists with other parts of the UK, where NHS homeopathy is available, was also highlighted. One member of the Health Committee commented: “Should the executive make the funding available, I imagine this service should get up and running. The committee will write to the Health Minister to urge him to take this on board, and I will write to him personally and encourage him to do that”. Another member said: “Homeopathy has a role to play… we should get into step with other parts of the UK”. Following the evidence session at Stormont there was a very successful evening event, sponsored by The Blackie Foundation Trust. Sara Eames gave an introductory talk on homeopathy and both Peter Fisher and Sara Eames had a question and answer session which generated a lot of interesting debate and discussion. The attendees consisted of local Faculty members, other healthcare professionals new to homeopathy, politicians and some key policy makers at Stormont, including Iris Robinson MP, the Chairperson of the Health Committee. The event generated much interest and a number of healthcare professionals are keen to learn more about homeopathy and to do Faculty training. Seeds are being sown to set up some teaching in the province. Gary Smyth comments: “The profile of homeopathy has been raised, both at the highest levels of local government and also among the healthcare professions within the health service. I think Faculty members in Northern Ireland would also agree that it has been hugely encouraging for us to see these events unfold and to have the support of our colleagues and friends in London”. Gary continues: “The next step is to work out a strategy to move things forward and take advantage of the momentum and enthusiasm. The atmosphere here in Northern Ireland is generally good towards complementary medicine. Alongside this enthusiasm however there is a lot of ignorance regarding homeopathy. One GP and senior BMA member recently told me that most doctors simply do not know enough about it. This was also high- lighted by a member of the Health Committee. I personally feel that if this “information gap” or “education gap” is filled by the critics of homeopathy with their cleverly worded and misleading books, articles and interviews, then we will have lost a huge opportunity. The challenge is to fill that gap ourselves with positive, helpful and informative material that will highlight the benefits of homeopathy to doctors, patients and the health service as a whole.” The next step in the process is a meeting with the Health Minister at the end of January. We eagerly await the outcome of these discussions. Photo: istockphoto.com /Robert Mayne The road to Stormont is a long but potentially fruitful one for homeopathy
Transcript of The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter January 2009 New hope ... · smle The Faculty of Homeopathy...
New hope for homeopathy in Northern Ireland
IN THIS ISSUE:
News 1-6
Research update 7
Annual review 11-22
Case studies 23-26
Events 27-29
s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter January 2009
On Thursday 11 December a Facultydelegation met with the NorthernIreland Health Committee at Stormontto discuss the possible integration ofhomeopathy into the health service there.
The meeting comes after much hardwork by local GP Gary Smyth along withother Faculty members Ken Kerr, KathleenSavage, Faculty Chief Executive CristalSumner and Northern Ireland LiaisonOfficer Audrey Kerr to put together acomprehensive report and business planto submit to the Committee.
Peter Fisher and Sara Eames flewinto Belfast to attend the formalevidence session, despite a veryslippery Gatwick causing havoc withflight times. Initial indications from theHealth Committee are positive,suggesting that they think a homeopathyservice is long overdue.
During the hour-long session thedelegation presented various potentialmodels for integrating homeopathy intothe NHS in Northern Ireland. Theinequity which exists with other partsof the UK, where NHS homeopathy isavailable, was also highlighted. Onemember of the Health Committeecommented: “Should the executivemake the funding available, I imaginethis service should get up and running.
The committee will write to the HealthMinister to urge him to take this onboard, and I will write to him personallyand encourage him to do that”. Anothermember said: “Homeopathy has a roleto play… we should get into step withother parts of the UK”.
Following the evidence session atStormont there was a very successfulevening event, sponsored by TheBlackie Foundation Trust. Sara Eamesgave an introductory talk onhomeopathy and both Peter Fisher andSara Eames had a question and answersession which generated a lot ofinteresting debate and discussion. Theattendees consisted of local Facultymembers, other healthcareprofessionals new to homeopathy,politicians and some key policy makersat Stormont, including Iris RobinsonMP, the Chairperson of the HealthCommittee. The event generated muchinterest and a number of healthcareprofessionals are keen to learn moreabout homeopathy and to do Facultytraining. Seeds are being sown to setup some teaching in the province.
Gary Smyth comments: “Theprofile of homeopathy has been raised,both at the highest levels of localgovernment and also among thehealthcare professions within thehealth service. I think Faculty members
in Northern Ireland would also agreethat it has been hugely encouraging forus to see these events unfold and tohave the support of our colleagues andfriends in London”.
Gary continues: “The next step is to work out a strategy to move thingsforward and take advantage of themomentum and enthusiasm. Theatmosphere here in Northern Ireland isgenerally good towards complementarymedicine. Alongside this enthusiasmhowever there is a lot of ignoranceregarding homeopathy. One GP andsenior BMA member recently told methat most doctors simply do not knowenough about it. This was also high-lighted by a member of the HealthCommittee.
I personally feel that if this“information gap” or “education gap”is filled by the critics of homeopathywith their cleverly worded and misleadingbooks, articles and interviews, then wewill have lost a huge opportunity. Thechallenge is to fill that gap ourselveswith positive, helpful and informativematerial that will highlight the benefitsof homeopathy to doctors, patients andthe health service as a whole.”
The next step in the process is ameeting with the Health Minister at theend of January. We eagerly await theoutcome of these discussions.
Photo: istockphoto.com
/Robert M
ayne
The road to Stormont is a long but potentially fruitful one for homeopathy
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•• editorial
This is the first opportunity that I havehad to say how much I enjoyed theCongress in Harrogate for the richnessof the CPD experience (as well assneaking out for the delicious tea andscones at Betty’s). I thought there was agreat atmosphere that complementedthe excellent programme of speakers.As Jonathan observes in his report (seep28) presenters and non-presentersboth contributed effectively to theevent. The camaraderie extended to allour sponsors too and the social eventswere very enjoyable. The quality oftalent on offer from colleagues at theFriday night party was really impressive!All in all a highly successful event.Sincere thanks to Cristal and Hilary for their hard work.
We are of course sorry to lose SallyPenrose after so many years of loyalservice to the BHA and Faculty but weare lucky to have secured the servicesof Cristal as CEO and our good wishesgo to her. Cristal has hit the roadrunning in her own inimitable manner!
Many years ago I remember beingasked to support an application for theprovision of homeopathy in Belfast.Imagine my trepidation when Idiscovered I was to appear at Stormontbefore the Northern Ireland HealthCommittee chaired by no other thanRev Ian Paisley. However he must havetaken pity on me for his manner wassoft and gentle and he treated me withthe utmost courtesy. Unfortunately itwas all to no avail, for the applicationwas turned down. Another applicationhas been made (see lead story) and Iwish our colleagues more success thistime around.
I received a belated invitation fromECHAMP to attend a lunch debate withrepresentatives of the patients, doctorsand industry from the UK homeopathicand anthroposophic sector in Brusselsin December. Unfortunately I wasunable to attend the meeting(moderated by Peter Fisher) at shortnotice. The supporting papers quotedfigures from Mintel that stated theannual sales of homeopathic productsin the UK were now £38m, correspond-ing to a spend of 66p per person. Ifthese figures are true they represent aremarkable rise in the use of homeopathysince the beginning of the last decade,when we were quoting £12m and 11p
respectively. Something clearly doesnot quite add up here! The report saysthat the market for homeopathy in theUK is ‘complex’ but continues to grow (afact confirmed by the Pharmacy Dean inhis annual report, p18).
Good news and bad news from thehomeopathic hospitals. Funding fromtwo PCTs at the RLHH seems to besecure for a year or so (news p4) butsadly the provision of NHS homeopathyat Tunbridge Wells seems doomed – allto save a pitiful annual amount. I shallnot rehearse all the arguments putforward eloquently by Helmut, Davidand others but it seems to me thatpicking off perceived savings withoutviewing the whole healthcare budget isinappropriate.
The NHS is a perverse animal!Acute, primary and secondary care areinextricably linked and budgets shouldbe not be seen as individual sectorresponsibilities but as an overallestimate of the cost of providingintegrated health care. A saving in onearea can cause a disproportionate rise inexpenditure elsewhere in the system.The converse is also true. But then I amnot saying anything new – we aspractitioners all know that.
I was in Cape Town recently andenjoyed the charming company ofPaddy and David Lilley and their family.It was pleasing to see how well theeducation programme is developing inSouth Africa. Judging by the list ofsuccessful candidates (p3), theveterinary profession is makingexceptionally good progress.
Sarah Buckingham has put togetheran article (p8) that encourages you towrite for Homeopathy. Take it from me– the worst part is thinking about it!Once you get tapping on the keyboardthe words will flow. You should not beembarrassed about the quality of yourwriting skills. There are lots of us tohelp! You could start by contributing toSimile!
We are always looking for news,comment, letters and case studies.Have you had an interestinghomeopathic experience? The editorialstaff of Simile are planning someexciting issues during 2009 and wehope that you will want to contribute.
Steven Kayne
The pharmacies have put all their extra stock of
Arsenicum album and Nux vomica away for another
year. The festivities are over again. Can you believe
it is eight years since the Millennium?
All Faculty members are welcome
Please make a note ofthe date now and email us at
[email protected] to let us know that
you will be attending
Faculty AGMannouncement
The Annual General Meeting of the Faculty of Homeopathy will be held on
Thursday 5 February 2009from 5.30pm at the
Holiday Inn Regent’s Park HotelCarburton St, London W1W 5EE
The Richard Hughes MemorialLecture will start at 6.15pm:
Medicine in Real Time by
Russell Malcolm MBChB FFHom
For almost 400 years westernmedicine has attempted to labeland categorise illness phenomena.New technologies now also allowus to categorise many of thedynamic relationships betweenform and function, providing uswith new insights into themanifestations of illness.
However, these technicalcapabilities do not always provideus with insight into the primarycauses of an illness. Nor do theynecessarily allow us to understandthe variations in diseaseprogression experienced bydifferent patients. As homeopaths,we are sensitive to thecircumstances of the patient’s life;contexts which influence theonset and progress of chronicillness and which are open tomany possible interpretations.
In practice, what real-time skillsare helpful in detecting what isuniquely significant in the life-context of our patients? What kinds of language bestdescribe how these insightsinform our treatment choices?
•• news
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New members – welcome!Congratulations to all the people who have achievedFaculty qualifications recently. Michelle Davison fromLondon and Mike Gould from Leicester gained theLFHom in the UK and there were a number of newLFHoms in Italy: Carlo Martini from Arezzo, Gabriella Niortfrom Torino, Maria Pelliccioni from Rimini and EnricaCorradini from Vigevano.
We welcome new MFHoms Amit Habbu and AditiHabbu from Pune, India, Murray Rushmere from CapeTown, South Africa, Dee Marshall from Marlow,Buckinghamshire and new VetMFHoms Michael Clancyfrom County Kilkenny, Ireland and Hazel Cooper fromTruro, Cornwall. A number of candidates in South Africahave also recently achieved the VetMFHom: Marianna deVos from Pretoria, Margaret Anne Hiza from Mandeni,Louise Biggs from Swartberg, Ingrid Spitze fromJohannesburg, Norman Leonard Philip Pearson fromSwellendam, Sheila Clow from Durban and Lara Schmidtfrom Howick. We also have three new VetMFHoms inAustralia: Carl Imre Von Schreiber from Brogo, New SouthWales, David Hare from Forster, New South Wales andHenry Stephenson from Aroona, Queensland.
In addition two new members have been approved byCouncil without examination: Dr Micha Bitschnau fromVienna, Austria has been awarded the MFHom andSamantha Gaffney from Brough, East Yorkshire theLFHom(Nurse).
Congratulations to TrevorThompson from Bristol andJayne Donegan from Londonwho both passed theirSpecialist Registerassessment recently.
Trevor’s dissertationreported on foundation
training in homeopathy forUK medical studentsdelivered by BristolHomeopathic Hospital andthe University of Bristol andJayne’s dissertationdiscussed vaccines inchildhood diseases.
Two members join theSpecialist Register
After nine years as ChiefExecutive of the BHA andFaculty of Homeopathy, SallyPenrose stepped down fromher post in November.
Sara Eames, President ofthe Faculty, comments: “I am sure I am not the onlyone in the Faculty who hasvery mixed feelings about the loss of Sally as our ChiefExecutive. I have greatlyenjoyed working with Sally,who has become a firm friend,and have always valued heradvice and appreciated hersupport.
Many will remember thatSally was appointed whenthe Faculty was veryoverstretched and shemanaged most effectively toput the organisation on amuch more realistic financialfooting, including theoverseeing of the move toLuton. Scarcely were thepacking boxes opened therethat the current negativitytowards homeopathy started.Sally has defended our causetirelessly from the start andhas worked amazingly hardon our behalf. She richlydeserves our praise; she can now draw breath andconsider the next phase of her life.
So Sally, many thanks foreverything that you havedone for us – certainly farmore than your jobdescription – and I wish youall the very best for a slightlyless contentious future.”
Sally says: “It has been agreat privilege working forthe BHA and Faculty and
I feel really proud of theprogress we have made andour achievements over theyears.
I’d like to say a big thankyou to all my wonderfulcolleagues and all the Facultymembers and BHA Friendswhose support andencouragement made thispossible. I remain as committedas ever to homeopathy andlook forward to keeping intouch with you in the future.
Finally, I’m delighted tobe handing over to CristalSumner – her contributionover the last eight years hasbeen outstanding and this ismuch deserved recognitionof her true potential. I knowthat she will do a superb joband wish her every success.”
Sally Penrose
An online version of thePHCE course has just beenlaunched this month inconjunction with The RobertGordon University.
The project has come tofruition following manymonths of liaison betweenFaculty doctor Fiona Gartonand Senior Lecturer in theNursing and Midwiferydepartment at RGU, CaitrianGuthrie, along with inputfrom fellow Faculty membersElaine Hamilton, BobLeckridge, Murdoch Shirreffs,Douglas Nicol, Alison Ritchie,Maggie Sabiston and Caroline Pears.
The online modules aresimilar to the five days ofteaching previously set forthe primary care course. One module will be releasedper month with homeworkexercises for students tosubmit. Tutors will do a livesession online once a
fortnight to answer queriesand discuss topics. It ishoped that the course willrun twice-yearly.
Online modules willprovide an easier way forhealthcare professionals with busy lives to learn abouthomeopathy. Fiona Gartonreports that there is alreadyinterest in the moduleelsewhere: the lead lectureron the MSc in AdvancedNursing at AberdeenUniversity would like toincorporate it into the course there.
Fiona comments: “This is about learning homeopathyin the 21st century: making it accessible for whenever or wherever students want to learn. I also hope that our hard work will reapbenefits for homeopathygenerally by increasing thelevel of interest in thetherapy.”
PHCE course now availableonline through RGU
Photo: ????????????????????????????
The Government Office forScience’s review of thequality, management and useof science in the Departmentof Health has suggested ‘flagship trials’ of homeopathyshould be carried out. Annex 1of the report, published onlineat www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48351.doc, states: “Aprogramme for a strongerevidence base wouldnecessitate agreementbetween practitioners,patients and researchers onwhat should be evaluated,and on relevant endpoints.Flagship trials should be runin the most promising areas,chosen on plausibility, andpatient demand. These should
be well planned, including pre- defined agreement onwhat constitutes a minimallyimportant clinical effect, andadequately resourced, so thatthe results were clear-cut.Innovative methods may beneeded, for example, if therewas a waiting list, then random-isation is as fair a way as anyof deciding who gets treatment.The Health TechnologyAssessment Programmeprovided a framework thatshould be as applicable toresearch on homeopathy asto any other therapy.”
Peter Fisher and the BHA’sResearch DevelopmentAdviser Robert Mathie metwith GO-Science officials in
the course of the review andsubmitted the evidence forhomeopathy to them.
Their subsequentcorrespondence with thenewly appointed ChiefScientific Adviser, JohnBeddington, confirmed thatthe evidence review has
been recognised by thegovernment’s SelectCommittee for Innovation,Universities, Science andSkills. It is vital thatgovernment has this aware-ness of the important role forhomeopathy and researchopportunities in the NHS.
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•• news
Science review: positive comments on homeopathy research
Members’ area
The members’ area of the Faculty website is available to LFHomsand above and is fully secure. You will need your username andpassword to login – for a login reminder email:
It looks as if the service atTWHH will close in Marchunless alternative deliverymethods can be developedand patient choice exercisedthrough choose and book andindividual treatment panels.
Closure was originally setfor March 2008 but due tothe outcry from patients anda legal challenge, the servicehad a reprieve. Thewithdrawal of funding forhomeopathic treatment byWest Kent PCT last Julyhowever has made theservice financially unviable forMaidstone and TunbridgeWells NHS Trust.
Consultant physician at
Tunbridge Wells latest
Both Camden and IslingtonPCTs confirmed at the end ofOctober that they will becontinuing to commissionservices from the RoyalLondon HomeopathicHospital (RLHH). The PCTsundertook a review of theevidence base for CAM in2008 and acknowledged thatbecause of the volume ofactivity commissioned from
the RLHH, any change ofreferral criteria would requirea public consultation. At themoment there are no plans tochange how these two PCTscommission services andthey have stated that theyhave no plans to consult onany changes to thecommissioning of RLHH thatwould have an impact before31 March 2010.
Contracts retained in London
TWHH Helmut Roniger says “the PCT will face aneven larger bill in future fromneglecting comparativelyinexpensive homeopathictreatment for difficult cases.
Patients should havesome access to homeopathyin Bromley or at the RLHHthrough an individualtreatment panel, but itremains to be seen howmany will be able toovercome this administrativehurdle and can travel.”
Those involved are stillworking hard to find a way of keeping homeo-pathy available in TunbridgeWells.
• search for othermembersfind members close to youby searching on postcode,profession, town/city orcountry.
• take part in thediscussion forumask questions and chat with your colleaguesonline.
• download policystatementsto find out the Faculty’sposition on importanttopics.
• view local groupinformationto see what’s going on in your area and find contact details.
• sign up for e-newsthrough the update page in your account.
• promote yourself on the BHA sitetick the box on the update page in youraccount.
What’s on the website
Photo: istockphoto.com/Luis Carlos Torres
•• news
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Special Interest (GPwSI) inhomeopathy.
I am funded by the PCTto run a NHS clinic at acommunity hospital and atleast three years ago Iapplied but was more or lessignored by the PCT so I hadgiven up. Last year I had aletter from the PCT askingme for details of myappraisal in relation tohomeopathy. I answered that the Faculty undertookthis and their response wasthat to be formally embracedin the “system” I must be a GPwSI and sent out theapplication form. Initially I was totally overwhelmed by the breadth, depth andgeneral irrelevance of theform, but I gradually workedmy way through it. Therewas much correspondencebetween me and the PCT:eventually I completed the application. Seniorhomeopathic colleagues and the Faculty have beenvery helpful and supportive.
I have a blank copy foranyone to see and also my Risk Assessment as well as Relevant Referral Criteria.
At the PCT the mainofficers were AssistantDirector of Specialist Servicesand the Practice BasedCommissioning Manager. Itwas eventually recommendedby the GPwSI subcommitteeand passed by the chiefExecutive of the PCT.
So it can be done,although it took a long timeand much patience. Ifanyone is interested, can I suggest that you get a copyof the blank form from me or from Cristal Sumner at the Faculty ([email protected]). If you would like any helpwith it please contact me at the email address below.
You know you want to do it. Good luck!
Roger Neville-Smith
For several years PCTs havebeen able to grant status toGPs; the main purpose, Ibelieve was to allow theseGPs to work in PCT-runclinics offering a similar,although less expert opinionto the consultant lead clinics.PCTs have always needed a
consultant in the relevantspecialty to sign the GP ascompetent and many havebeen unwilling to do this, I suspect, because they see their monopoly beingeroded. Until recently no GP has managed to becomea General Practitioner with
Homeopathy’s first GP with Special Interest (GPwSI)
2009 calendarIf you don’t have a calendar for 2009 yet,
why not visit the BHA’s brand new website at
www.britishhomeopathic.organd download an order form from the home page?
The calendar is proving very popular so order your copy today.
www.facultyofhomeopathy.org
✓Top resource
We Answer the Critics, available to download from the Faculty website, challenges most of the accusations andassumptions made by the likes of Professor Colquhoun andSimon Singh. Set out in bite-sized chunks, with brief butuseful references, the document will help Faculty membersto have the facts and figures at their fingertips.
Along with straightforward statements about the research evidence for homeopathy, We Answer the Critics
suggests responses to the following:
• Homeopathy is no more than placebo
• There is no basis in science
• Homeopaths mislead their patients
• Hundreds of millions of pounds are wasted on homeopathy each year
• Homeopathy has no place in the NHS
• Homeopathy is wacky and unregulated
This document brings together information in one place,making it easy for Faculty members to respond effectively to challenges.
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•• news
Contribute to Simile
Simile is your newsletter and we are always pleased to receive articles, case studies and news items from
members, please email Sarah Buckingham [email protected]
or call 0870 444 3957.The next copy deadline is Friday 20 February
•• comment
We encourage all GPmembers to propose to the Royal College of General Practitioners thatcomplementary medicinebecomes a clinical priority in 2010.
The process is competitivebut if complementarymedicine were to be made aclinical priority next year, a‘Clinical Champion’ would beappointed for a period ofthree years. It’s thought thecollege will start to ask forsubmissions for 2010priorities in March or April so we need GP members to act now!
There is an establishedprocedure for this: a clinicalpriority proposal form mustbe submitted, a copy ofwhich is obtainable from JuliaBrown, Project Manager ofthe RCGP’s ClinicalInnovation and ResearchCentre on 020 3170 8250 orat [email protected]
The criteria for judging theinformation on the proposalform is described by theRCGP as follows:
• Area of clinicalneed/importance to thework of GPs and patients
• Relationship to nationalstrategy
• Relationship to Collegestrategy for exampleworking/developingrelationships with partners,working with educationand curriculum groups asrequired
• Funding opportunities fordevelopment work
• Leadership and promotionopportunity
• And areas which arecurrently neglected shouldbe prioritised andconsidered in relation totheir importance.
Some examples of keydevelopments by currentClinical Champions in theirown specific areas are:
• An End of Life CareStrategy and a successfulapplication to the DH forfunding to develop andoversee a National PrimaryCare Audit Tool in line withthe End of Life Care Strategy
• Guidance for practices onOut of Hours services
• NHS Clinical KnowledgeSummaries for Prescribingand continuingdevelopment of acurriculum for prescribing
• Numerous mental healthconsensus statementsproduced with other Royal Colleges and otherbodies on topics such aspatients and anti-depressants, ageing andmental health, etc
Five Clinical Champions havejust been appointed for 2009,in respiratory medicine,musculoskeletal medicine(one with an osteoporosisfocus and one with anosteoarthritis focus), headache,and ageing and older people’shealth and wellbeing. See opposite for comment.
GPs: Lobby the RCGP tomake CAM a priority
It was interesting that theCochrane Collaboration meta-analysis on hawthorn extractas an adjunctive treatment inCardiac Congestive Failure(Cochrane article www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab005312.html– you can get there bygoogling hawthorn cochranecollaboration) received acouple of column inches inthe press in late winter 2008– clinical evidence for a drugwell known to homeopathyand herbal medicine.Surprisingly there was noclarion call for CCF patientsto be prescribed this cheap,effective, evidence-baseddrug! No-one seemedinterested in GP computersystems already having thedrug on the database ofmedicines – Cratageus inVision and *Cratageus inEMIS. How outrageous!Having experienced its use atthe RLHH, GHH and TWHHas well as using it in generalpractice for a couple of yearsto the amusement of mycolleagues and satisfying
benefit of appropriate patientsit was quite a fillip to see theevidence in august print.
The Royal College of GPsmight have been able todebate the merits/demeritsof encouraging the wider useof Cratageus as there was abit of interest around withheart failure being included in QOF, but theirComplementary MedicinesGroup, previously chaired byEdzard Ernst, has beendisbanded and a newapparition called theAssociation of Primary CareSocieties has beenintroduced. These Societiescan support an application fora Clinical Champion of aparticular field. The Chair ProfNigel Mathers has intimatedthat an application could beconsidered in any branch ofmedicine. There is guidanceon how to go about anapplication with examples ofcurrent Clinical Championswho would all appear to beable to benefit from anintegrative dialogue, availablefrom the RCGP (see newsitem opposite). The timewould seem ripe to associatewith the RCGP and ensure anirreproachable, successfulapplication for a ClinicalChampion in integrativehealth who could besupported by talentedindividuals from for examplethe big 4 – Homeopathy,Acupuncture, Herbalism andOsteopathy. The closing datefor 2009 is just past so thereis a year to prepare for 2010.Dare you be involved?!
Andrew Sikorski
Be a Clinical Champion inintegrative medicine!
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•• case studies•• news•• news
•• research update
For a handy two page summary
of the evidence base for homeopathy,
email Sarah Buckingham at
Holism and outcome measures
in palliative care
The Association of PalliativeCare CAM Task Group setthemselves two tasks: (1) to explore different facetsof holistic care relevant to the palliative care setting, and (2) to review outcomemeasures that might assist inresearching complex inter-ventions such as CAM therapies.
CAM therapies oftenembrace holistic philosophywhere mind and body areconnected and the com-plexity of symptoms acknow-ledged. The authors thereforegathered together outcomemeasures in the areas ofhope, spirituality, symptomcontrol, self-concept, the
Faculty research
Homeopathic hospitals clinical data collection
Planning for the next stage of this initiative has beenassisted by discussions that took place at Congress inHarrogate. A further cross-sectional sample of datacollection is likely to take place nationally in 2009.
Veterinary research and clinical data collection
The paper describing the results of our research withBristol Vet School has been published recently in theVeterinary Record. As members will know, this is ahighly prestigious “mainstream” journal, and the impactof the article might be significant. We are also continuingwith the analysis of the data arising from the 12-monthveterinary data collection project. The findings from thetreatment of horses have been analysed separately fromthose of cats and dogs, and a paper reporting the equinedata has already been submitted for publication.
Patients happier with homeopathy
than conventional treatment
A Swiss study on patient satisfaction and side effects inprimary care reports that patients were more satisfiedwith homeopathy than conventional care, and thathomeopathic treatments were perceived as a low-risktherapy, with two to three times fewer side effects thanconventional care. The paper, which is part of anationwide evaluation of complementary medicine inSwitzerland and was funded by the Swiss Federal Officeof Public Health, examined data collected in two studiesbetween 2002-2003, the first a physician questionnaire,the second a study conducted over four days using aphysician and patient questionnaire at consultation and apatient questionnaire mailed to the patient one monthlater. A total of 6778 adult patients were surveyed; 3126responded (46.1%). Statistically significant differenceswere found with respect to health status (higherpercentage of chronic and severe conditions in thehomeopathic group), perception of side effects (higherpercentage of reported side effects in the conventionalgroup) and patient satisfaction (higher percentage ofsatisfied patients in the homeopathic group).
Reference:
Marian F, Joost K, Saini K, von Ammon K, Thurneysen A, Busato A.Patient satisfaction and side effects in primary care: Anobservational study comparing homeopathy and conventionalmedicine.BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008,8:52 (This article is available from: www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/8/52)
therapeutic consultation anddignity, which might assist inthe design of clinical trials ofCAM therapies in thepalliative care setting. Suchmeasures include: the PatientEnablement Instrument;McGill Quality of LifeQuestionnaire; Herth HopeIndex; Spiritual IntegrationMeasure; and MeasureYourself Medical OutcomeProfile (MYMOP).
Reference:
Thompson EA, Quinn T, PatersonC, Cooke H, McQuigan D, ButtersG. Outcome measures for holistic,complex interventions within thepalliative care setting. ComplementTher Clin Pract 2008; 14: 25-32.
The importance of intuition in
homeopathic prescribingUnderstanding how homeo-paths make clinical decisionsis important in terms ofoptimising patient care, yetcurrently little is understoodabout this process. The aimof this qualitative study wasto explore how homeopathsmake prescribing decisionsprimarily during their firstconsultation with a patient.In-depth, semi-structured,face-to-face interviews werecarried out with 14 homeo-paths working in privatepractice. Interpretativephenomenological analysiswas carried out on the data.
Homeopaths used acombination of pattern
recognition, hypothetico-deductive reasoning andintuition to obtain a preciseremedy match. Practitionerswere aware of avoiding majorbias and of the role of thepatient-practitioner relation-ship in influencing decision-making. A major conclusionof the study was that intuitionis a valuable component ofdecision-making forhomeopathic practitioners.
Reference:
Burch AL, Dibb B, Brien SB.Understanding homeopathicdecision-making: a qualitative study.Forsch Komplementmed 2008; 15:218-225.
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•• feature
You might think that writing a paper for publication is something that otherpeople do. It’s actually something youshould consider doing too. Why?Because it’s not half as scary as youmight think. Honestly. And because, inone way or another, you probably havea valuable contribution to make to theresearch community.
You don’t have to be conductingclinical trials to get published. Youmight have carried out an audit of yourhomeopathic practice. It could be assimple as writing up some great casestudies that you’ve had lingering around,but nobody knows about them exceptyou! Think about the cases you wroteup for your MFHom or SpecialistRegister Assessment for example.With some tweaking they could besuitable for publication. Or, if you areon the path to MFHom or SPR at themoment, why not think about writingyour cases and dissertation up withpublication in mind? Take a look at theguide for authors in the back of the journalfor more information on the requirements.The work must be original and notpublished elsewhere of course.
Writing a paper:
reasons to be cheerful
Here are some reasons why writing
for publication is a good thing:
• Having papers publishedundoubtedly contributes to yourcareer. Get the recognition youdeserve for your work.
• You will be promoting homeopathy inone of the best and most importantways possible – by demonstratingthat there is a healthy research culture.
• Publishing your work in Homeopathyshows that you share the Faculty’scommitment to excellence in thehomeopathic profession,underpinned by a commitment topublishing high quality research.
• Your paper, once published, will beaccessible to 4,451 institutionsworldwide via ScienceDirect – anaudience of literally millions.
Now, if you’ve never written a paperfor publication before, the last pointhere is potentially a daunting prospect.Do you want to reveal yourself quite sospectacularly to the rest of thehomeopathic community and beyond?Not everyone likes to soak up thelimelight, that’s for sure. But if you aremaking an important contribution tohomeopathic research in one way oranother, it behoves you to make it topublication. Don’t hide your light undera bushel! That said, the publishingprocess can feel like a long andsometimes laborious road. Elsevierhave some good tips for first time orinexperienced writers.
Ways to overcome problems
• You need to be focused on what youwant to say, use clear simple language
• Refer to the author guidelines. Go tohttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authorshome.authors
• Know your audience – know theirinterests, knowledge and languageuse
• If in doubt contact one of theeditorial team; the editorial board aremore than happy to help new writersget started
Why YOU should write for Homeopathy
9
•• case studies•• feature
• A good journal article is not the sameas a good dissertation orassignment. Therefore if you intendto publish a paper from anotheracademic work, try working on apaper for publication in parallel withyour other written work
• EDIT EDIT EDIT – if in doubt leave it out
• It is not unusual to be asked to makechanges to your paper. You will beprovided with comprehensivefeedback, as well as suggestions forhow amendments can be made.
Selecting an appropriate journal
for your work
With so many journals if you are tomaximise your chances of gettingpublished you must ensure that yousubmit to the best suited vehicle foryour work. There are a number ofpoints to consider.
• Is it in the right area?
• Is my article appropriate to thejournal?
• Does it reach the right audience?
Homeopathy’s Aims and Scope can be found in the front of each issue.
Surviving the review process
The editor will send your paper to tworeviewers who have an interest in orspecialise in your field. The reviewersare responsible for: assessing itsrelevance, the value of the work, itsquality, the writing skills, whether itcontributes new knowledge to thecurrent debate or literature andwhether it is appropriate for publishingin the journal concerned. Their reportwill determine the ensuing course ofaction. Their advice is vital as they areoften experienced researchers orpractitioners, aware of current trendsand developments within the field andexperienced in the writing andpublishing process. Their advice isvaluable and may accompany, or atleast influence, the feedback youreceive from the editor.
• You may be required to makechanges to your paper and re-submit
• The editor returns the paper to thereviewers. Please note that you donot have to address all thesuggestions they make, howeveryou will need to explain in writingwhy you believe certain suggestionswere inappropriate or not necessary
• The reviewers return the paper withrecommendations to the editor
• The editor makes the final decisionand writes to you
• If your paper is accepted you will beasked to supply the most up-to-dateversion which will be type set. Proofsare then forwarded to you. Youtypically have 48 hours to read andreturn. Mistakes can be made duringtypesetting, so check proofs carefully
• You return proofs to production
• Two weeks later your article appearsonline and then is assigned to a printissue
I‘m working on it…
For the more experienced authors outthere, it’s time to dust off that paperwhich is 95% complete and just needsa little oomph to get it over thefinishing line! You may already haveinvested much time and effort in a draftpaper; it just needs polishing. Don’tforget that the Homeopathy editorialboard are more than happy to adviseyou if you have reached a sticking pointin the process.
The Impact Factor
It’s a great time to think aboutsubmitting a paper to the journal. In June this year, Thomson Scientificwill be calculating the first ImpactFactor, or IF, for Homeopathy forarticles cited in 2008. The IF iscalculated on the average number ofcites that an article receives in one yearand is used as an indication of theimportance of a journal in its particularfield. The more high quality paperspublished, the more cites we get, thebetter the Impact Factorlooks. Downloads of homeopathyarticles on ScienceDirect are set to hit40,000 per annum soon and onaverage, the journal is experiencingtwice the download rates that itachieved in 2005.
So to wrap up, Homeopathy willcontinue to publish high qualityresearch... and in plentiful supply withyour help folks! It’s good for the ImpactFactor and will be good for you too. It’scertainly of key importance for theFaculty, if we are to continue topromote excellence in homeopathy.
Note:
All submissions to Homeopathy are now done online through the followinglink: http://ees.elsevier.com/homp
Lost in translation?
If language is a barrier to getting your paper published,Elseviercan help you with their language editing services.
Visit www.elsevier.com/wps/find/authorsview.authors/languagepolishing
More information is available in Elsevier’s booklet Writing for Publication –email Publishing Editor Lindsay Campbell at [email protected] for a copy.
Common pitfalls
• A badly written abstract
• Inadequate or absentintroduction
• Raising questions which are then not addressed
• Poor sentence structure
• Missing references
• Jumping from idea to idea
• Making assumptions
• Inadequate or absent conclusion
• Inaccurate content
Image: istockphoto.com
/Shannon K
eegan
1. Sounds very similar, this remedy. But not completely – 3 letters
2. Not much of a homeopath, the dog! – 7 letters
3. Bright eyed, this femme fatale – 10 letters
4. The garden of England – a good place to find help with your case analysis – 4 letters
5. Sandy, Alice’s all mixed up and I’m involved with her – 7 letters
6. Passing a potion around the tent is a good way of raising the energy – 13 letters
7. His story about the snake sounds a bit fishy – 6 letters
8. Master’s partner who delayed us at the sixth – 7 letters
9. Initially strongly indicative of the right prescription – 3 letters
10. The best remedy for this kind of national crisis – 14 letters
11. Will make you feel better shortly – 4 letters
12. The Head Girl, seen from the East, is not quite the same – 5 letters
13. Depressed painter couldn’t tolerate this black cloud – 5 letters
14. Can recite an old lyric by heart we hear – 6 letters
15. Cad got sore and thoroughly upset getting the treatment he deserved – 7 letters
16. Right wing conservative member of the Lords amended the record to help the analysis – 9 letters
17. Stern critic of complementary medicine – 5 letters
18. Dennis Thatcher’s preferred dosage form, allegedly – 8 letters
19. Literally the hair of the dog that bit you; or at least made you sneeze – 8 letters
20. Faculty dance extravaganzas? Ecstasy perhaps. But backward looking for the academic leadership – 5 letters
21. Sitting your first homeopathy exam? Well, standing for it any way – 4 letters
22. Looks frank and honest at first, but ferments trouble if too active – 7 letters
23. A testing experience this kind of experiment – 7 letters
24. Paradoxically, this regime allows little scope for individuality – 12 letters
25. Prickly customer who sure shoots straight – 8 letters
26. Has had considerable currency for over 30 years now; if a degree of attenuation – 7 letters
27. My spot? That’s the trouble! I’d give a thousand to end it – 7 letters
28. His particular complaint is the pub round the corner – 5 letters
29. The soldier’s rank behaviour affects me as a person – 7 letters
30. That man’s conservative account of things is a record– 7 letters
31. Something to stop you picking your nose? Sounds bad!– 4 letters
32. Indicated for Napoleon’s terminal illness perhaps? – 9 letters
33. Any biro would do to write this prescription – 7 letters
34. I caught Tom with a Lady, which affected the way I was feeling – 8 letters
Homeopathic quiz
Some cryptic light relief from our resident Quizmaster, Jeremy Swayne.
How many can you get? Answers on page 26
10
23
•• case studies•• case studies
“I’ve been quite low, I improved quite a bit after leaving school at Easter, butit’s not shifting completely. When I leftschool, I couldn’t really do anything(shaky voice). I’ve been sleeping a lot, I don’t interact much, I don’t feel ableto go back to school. I’ve also got IBSand that got much worse at Easter.”
Father says, “The GP diagnosedIBS last year, he was in a lot of pain, he takes Colpermin and Colofac. Hesuddenly had a bout at Easter, weweren’t expecting it as he’d left schooland we were on holiday somewhere hereally enjoyed.”
Describe the IBS.
“It would come and go, at its worst, it’scrippling, I can’t move, I curl up with awheat bag.”
Father says, “And suffer very loudly!In stressful situations, his stomachgets upset, like at a Scout camp whenhe didn’t want to stay overnight andwe got a call to collect him. Thingshave been much worse since he startedSixth Form. He’s found it harder andharder and we could see him doing lessand less despite our cajoling. There wasa lot of pressure on him.” Father leaves.
What was happening before Easter?
“I was feeling at my lowest, myparents suggested that maybe I shouldleave Sixth Form, stuff started to geton top of me and that seemed the onlypossible way out.”
Describe things getting on top
of you.
“It was mainly school work and revision,there was no way of getting round it,I’d have ended up failing A levels. I wouldn’t know what to do if I failed,to carry on and retake or drop it and dosomething else. The work I’d donehadn’t been worth it, it would have ledme to give up. I just didn’t seem ableto learn or understand, I would go overit and think I understood it and go intothe exam, but I’d end up failingbecause I didn’t really understand.”
Describe going over it and failing.
“When I was doing revision, I’d ask forhelp, but I still didn’t understand andmy usual reaction would be to just giveup and walk off in a huff and then I’davoid trying to do it.”
Describe revising then giving up.
“In chemistry, I’d enjoy the lessons,but when I went to revise for theJanuary exams, if there was an equationI had to understand to do a titration, I’dread the equation, read it again and if I still didn’t understand it, I’d give upand walk off, go and watch TV. I tried to drop geography but my parentswouldn’t let me, it was a downwardspiral from there (smiles).”
Describe the “downward spiral”.
“At first, I wasn’t doing my homework,then I started missing lessons, eventuallyI just left school. I didn’t like thegeography teacher, she had little goesat me in front of the whole class. I’mquite argumentative, she made sarcasticcomments like ‘F hasn’t done his home-work, what a surprise!’ She humiliatedme, it was pretty controversial, I wouldn’tjust take it, I’d often fight back.”
What do you mean, controversial?
“If someone’s having a go at me, I won’tjust leave it, I have a say in my owndefence. If someone says somethingabout my height, I’d say somethingback, I get very upset. I’m quite a bitsmaller than most in my year (cries).”
Describe your feeling about
being smaller.
“You feel less of a person, whensomeone made a comment about howI looked at the school play, my suit wasa bit too big for me, I laughed it off, butunderneath I was feeling pretty upset.”
Describe more about the
geography teacher.
“I was moved for laughing wheneveryone was laughing, it was almostas if there was a different set of rulesfor me than for everyone else. A lot ofstuff was my fault, if I made a joke or acomment in a presentation, she’dsuddenly start to have a go at me, sendme out as though I’d done somethingwrong and there hadn’t been a jokegoing on. She was always aiming hercriticism at me, humiliating me bysaying that everything was happeningbecause of me.”
What happened in your January
exams?
“I failed chemistry, that was really
upsetting (cries). I thought I understoodit, but from the exam you could tell thatI just didn’t understand, my confidenceto do the work plummeted. After that I felt I wouldn’t understand anyway.”
Dreams?
“I used to dream about cycling throughhills, I came to a field where therewere some evil ghost kind of things,made of big black smoke. They didn’tmake a noise, they’d go over somethinglike a tree, it’d disappear as if they’deaten it. I was scared of them eatingme, I ran away.
I had a dream that a giant mosquitostung me on the wrist, where this wartis, which caused my hand to spasmuncontrollably, (gesture, jerks wrist).My wrist went up like that, as soon asthe mosquito went, it went back tonormal and I had control over it again.”
What are you afraid of?
“I used to be scared of spiders andsnakes. I’m scared of being away fromhome, I miss my parents when I’mstaying in a strange place.”
What happened at the Scout camp?
“We were playing cowboys andindians, this kid pointed a plastic gun inmy face, I grabbed the gun, it snapped,and they started having a go at me. Iwas really upset, I got stomach painsand my parents came to pick me up.”
What upset you the most?
“Being told off by the Cub Leader, likehe was blaming me for him having toget up early to get glue to fix the kid’sgun. I’m fine if everything’s going ok,but if I get upset I start to think ofhome.”
What does home represent?
“Safety from something happening.”
What is the opposite of safety?
“Danger, something that could causedeath or injury. A terrorist attack, someonewith a gun late at night, you get mugged.”
Describe the IBS pain.
“It starts with discomfort in my centralstomach, like a knot being pulledtighter and tighter, a continuous pain. I get cramp in my calf muscles whenI’m running, I have to stop running.”
Zincum metallicum
Boy age 17, seen in May 2007 with depression and IBS. He looks younger than he is.
CONTINUED >
24
•• case studies
Photo: istockphoto.com
/David Freund
What is the situation at home?
“I try to avoid talking about the situation,even if I have to lie, I just agree withthem. I go and watch TV, try to getaway as soon as possible. I’m sleepinguntil very late. I eat a lot of junk foodlike pizza. I’m going to start looking fora job to earn some money. I’m thinkingof starting a career in sailing, I’ve sailedall my life, my father has a boat. I’d liketo crew on a yacht to get the qualifications,work up the ranks to skippering. I don’tthink I’ll go back to school.”Rx. Zincum met 200C, then 12C weekly.
We can see the classical themes ofZincum met as a remedy for ‘brain fag’in young people, with brain power tooweak to comprehend or memorise;also the lethargy, and the tendency torepeat things over and over (echolalia)…seen in this case in his inability torevise, reading things over and over. It was also good to confirm thehomesickness and tendency to beeasily offended. I was amazed to findZincum in the rubric Mind; PLAY; dirtytricks on others or their teachers,schoolboys. (It would be interesting tohear his teacher’s version of events inthe classroom!)
But rather than just learning a list ofZincum symptoms, I find it much moreinteresting to be able to see theconnections between varioussymptoms. Zinc’s position in Column12 of Row 4 (Ferrum Series) of thePeriodic Table helps us to understandwhy patients needing Zincum metshould have these particularsensitivities.
The main theme of Row 4 isSECURITY. People needing theseremedies have a great need to build
security in terms of abiding by therules, getting the qualifications in orderto get a secure job in order to earnenough to buy a safe home,insurances, pension, and for this theyneed physical health and strength.They have to be strong and secureenough to defend against attack, thetheme of the metal remedies. Row 4contains many commonly used metalslike titanium, manganese, iron, copper,zinc. Those on the left side of thePeriodic Table are building up security,from the great need for support inCalcium to the forceful persistence ofFerrum in column 8. By Niccolum theyare secure, ‘the best’ and even tellothers what to do, taking the role ofthe ‘policeman’ of the community. Butfrom Cuprum in column 11, they startlosing security, and feeling that thestructure they had is being erodedaway. By Arsenicum in column 15 theyfear their own relatives are stealingfrom them, and the bailiffs are at thedoor, by Bromium in column 17 theyhave lost everything, and areconsumed by guilt.
Zincum in column 12 feels thatthere is constant attack to his positionof security. In a schoolboy, this isrepresented by his feeling continuously‘got at’ by his teacher, with a need to‘defend’ his position and ‘fight back’.He is the smallest in the class, andfeels weak and inadequate. Anothertheme of column 12 is ‘repeating’, heis weakening and he cannot maintainhis defence, he starts to tremble andjerk, so he fails and has to try again,which makes him feel more inadequateso eventually he gives up. In this casethe failure is all seen in the context ofpassing examinations, which is the first
step towards getting a secure job andthereafter financial security. We seethe jerking in the dream where he isbitten (‘attacked’) by the giantmosquito.
Other themes of Row 4 are rules,law and order, and guilt if one does notobey the rules. He feels as if theteacher has another set of rules forhim, and he is always in the wrong.The homesickness is particularlyinteresting, as we see that homerepresents safety, and the opposite ofsafety is danger, terrorist attack, guns,mugging, all the things that threatenour security. The theme of the highstandards demanded by the father hasoften been mentioned for Zincum,interesting that he came with his fatherinitially, which is less common.
So we see that all the threads ofthe case are beautifully tied up byexploring the experience that led tohim leaving school, with his fears anddreams confirming the themes. Thanksto Zincum met he has been able toreverse his sense of failure instead ofgiving up before he’d even startedadult life.
Follow up
June 2007: Father says, “I don’t see anydramatic changes, he’s less down, butwe still need to talk about him doingthings because he doesn’t do anything.There are jobs that need to be done tobe part of the family, we have dogsthat need to be exercised.”
F says “I’ve improved a bit, mymood has been steady, I’ve not hadany real lows. I feel a bit moremotivated, I can do things rather thanjust sitting there staring at the walls. I walk the dogs at least once a week,but we live halfway up a hill, thethought of the hill stops me but once I get up there it’s fine and I feel goodthat I’ve done it. I’m getting up at 9am,and seeing my friends a lot. I’ve got aninterview at Starbucks, I want to getthe job because I’m getting very bored.When I take the dose on a Thursday, I feel a small natural high but it wearsoff after three hours. I took the 200Cwhen I had a stomach ache, it wentaway quite quickly and I haven’t had itfor four weeks, before it would last fordays, I’d take paracetamol. I’m worriedabout my driving test in August, in caseI fail.”Rx. 12C Mon/Wed/Fri leading up to
driving test, 200C with abdominal pain.
August 2007: “I passed my driving testbut I still haven’t got a job. The past
25
•• case studies•• case studies
CONTINUED >
Consultation November 1995
I have had chronic prostatitis for 20years and have had six operations onmy prostate… I get a lot of pain frommy penis through to my back. I also geta pain which travels forward from mysacrum and coccyx to my penis. Thereis a dull constant ache in my prostate…after I pass urine I feel as if my genitalsare pulled into a hollow inside. It is apainful pulling inwards feeling… I getdays where I get sudden pain all at onceand I get some good days with no pain.
Gardening makes the pains terrible.Any physical work makes it bad… I fish for salmon and that makes itworse – standing in the cold water.
When I want to pass urine I have togo quickly… it is an urgent feeling…the flow starts quickly and the flow isgood… tight trousers make the painworse, any pressure on my tummyreally… After sex the pain is absolutelyterrible for two days … when it is bad I can’t think properly, I lose things andmy mind goes fuzzy. My concentrationgoes and I can’t be bothered… It wakesme up every two hours from 1am topass urine and I pass a lot, more than I seem to drink.
I love to go fishing but standing inthe cold water makes it all worse… theprostate and the joints… cold wind andlifting and gardening make it worse… I love whisky and wine but I get worsefrom alcohol.
The prostate is better with warmweather and better from a hot bath
Before it all started I was under alot of stress at work… there was abattle for control of my companybetween the managing director andmyself… it went on for two years. I won the battle – I knew all along I would win.
The first attack started suddenly. I just couldn’t pass urine. I tried andtried but it wouldn’t come out. Mybladder just got bigger and bigger andthe pain was terrible, and my doctorsent me into hospital. They passed acatheter and then I had my first
prostate operation and I have not beenwell since then.
I had to go back to hospital after thefirst operation because I wasbleeding… thick dark clots… I tend tobleed a lot after I get a tooth extraction…I keep on getting urine infection andmy urine turns smelly and over theyears I am sure I have taken far toomany antibiotics.
Analysis
Prostatitis in a 48 year-old man is notunusual but the presentation of rapidswelling and acute retention of urine is striking.
This led to the key rubric of:
Bladder; RETENTION of urine; General;enlarged prostate, with (20): Apis, bell.,benz-ac., Cact., canth., Chim., con.,DIG., ferr., hyos., kali-i., merc-d.,morph., pareir., Puls., sep., STAPH.,stram., tritic., zinc.
Chimaphila umbellata and Pareira bravacaught my eye as medicines I didn’tknow so I read their materia medica.The graph shows that Chimaphila (butnot Pareira) covers his other prostaticsymptoms as well as rheumatic jointpain, aggravation from cold bathing andmental dullness. The active miasmappears to be sycosis – his benignprostatic hyperplasia began at an earlyage and has been remarkably activeand persistent to require six TURPs.The multiple courses of antibiotics maysuggest treatment with a bowelnosode – Morgan Pure (Paterson) orMorgan (Bach) or Sycotic Co(Paterson).
Treatment
Chimaphila umbellata 200CH – sevenpills – take one daily till a clear changeoccurs, then take 6CH pill twice everyday
Consultation January 1996
There has been a big improvement – I am 300% better. All the pain went
Retention of urine and prostatitis: a Chimaphila umbellata case
“D” a short, fat man aged 68, with grey hair, long bushy eyebrows and a red face is referred for homeopathic treatment of chronic prostatitispresenting 20 years ago with acute retention of urine. He has had sixcystoscopies and trans-urethral resections of prostate – IVP, ultra soundscans, renal function tests and PSA are all normal. He also has essentialhypertension and osteoarthritis.
week hasn’t been good as my parentsare away, I’m much better havingsomeone to talk to. The driving testwas fine, I was concentrating so much,I felt happy in myself but the stomachpain came on later so I took a 200C, itseems to help quite a lot, it chills meout. I couldn’t think clearly the nightbefore the test, but I’ve felt morerelaxed since the test.
I’ve been walking the dogs twice aweek and I did a lifeguard course, I’vegot an interview next week. Apart fromthe last week, I’ve been feeling betterand better, more confident to go out,before I would get worried going to aparty, now I don’t care, I go and seewhat’s happening. I drove here today,that feels really good, a lot of people Iknow didn’t pass their test first time.The low dose on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays is good.”
October 2007: “I’m good, back to how Iwas before I went downhill. I’ve goneback to school, I’m doing the worknow. After I’ve done it, I feel I’veaccomplished something. I decided togo to another school, I had a lookaround in the summer and decided itwas ok for me. The first day was scary,there were two other new people Iknew so it was ok. The teachers are allnice, I understand the work, myconfidence is much better. I’m makingnew friends, talking to people. Irealised that having A levels will helpme out so much more for the future.I’ve not had tummy pain at all.”Rx. Reduce 12C to twice weekly.
December 2007: “School is going well,I’ve got a good group of friends, I’menjoying the work, getting on with theteachers and not being too lazy. I’masking more questions, I give aquestion a go, do something I thinkmight work and a lot of times I amdoing the right thing. I’m relying on myown knowledge.
I’m walking the dogs more, helpingmore at home. I went to a Christmasdinner, I had to wear a suit, I felt fine, Ididn’t look out of place. At the newschool I’m not the smallest boy byquite a long way, it’s nice to be tallerthan some. My tummy is fine, no painsat all. I feel 80% well, sometimes I feela bit low but I take a 12C and withinhalf an hour I forget about it. I haven’tused the 200C at all.”
Julie Geraghty
26
•• case studies
away like magic after eight hours andhas stayed away. The back pain hasgone. The frequency of passing urine ismuch less and I only get the urgencyoccasionally. I took all seven doses ofthe 200C and have taken the 6C twiceevery day.
I feel better in myself – my energyis better and my concentration is betterand my joints are better… I sleep better.I only wake up to pass urine twice andsometimes only once… I am still worseafter sex for two days but it is not sobad… I still get worse after red wine.
Treatment
Continue Chimaphila umbellata 6CH as30ml drops two drops daily with 10succussions before each dose till forgetsthen as required
Consultation May 1996
There is a great improvement – when I get some prostate trouble and itseems like it is going to flare up a bit I take the 6c drops twice that day andthe next day all the trouble is betterand after a couple of days it is gone.
I take the drops before and afterfishing and it really helps the prostateand the joints… I can drink whiskyagain without any trouble but still getworse after wine… it is like a new life.
Treatment
Continue Chimaphila umbellata 6CHdrops as required
Consultation June 1996
I have been back from Spain for twoweeks. I relapsed while I was there. All the same symptoms of the prostateare back again but they are only half assevere as they were before the remedy.
Treatment
Chimaphila umbellata 200CH dropsdaily till settled and then repeat when
required for relapses and continue touse 6CH drops for fishing if required
Telephone Consultation June 1996
– one week later
The bad pain went after a few hoursand it all settled down after three tofour days and I am fine again.
Essential materia medica of Chimaphila
umbellata – Ericacea plant family
Rhododendron chrysanthum and Kalmialatifolia contain andromedotoxine, astrychnine-like alkaloid. Arbutin, aquinine glycoside, a urinary antisepticand diuretic present in Chimaphila,Arctostaphylos uva ursi and Kalmiaplays a major role in urinary symptoms.Chimaphila also contains: potassium,iron, magnesium, sodium chloride,sulphuric, phosphoric and silicic acids,is a creeping perennial shrub of coniferforests in USA and Canada withwhite/lilac-edged 5-petal fragrantflowers. The leaves are astringent,sweet and slightly bitter. NativeAmericans used it in urinary stones,urinary infections and rheumatism.
• complete retention of urine fromenlarged prostate especially fromprostatitis
• acute & chronic prostatitis• enlarged prostate benign or malignant• sensation as if sitting on a ball, a ball
in or pressing on perineum on sittingdown
• urinary infections with urgency andtenesmus and fetid thick bloody urine
• alcohol desire (especially whisky)even if it aggravates
• aggravation from cold damp weatherand cold bathing
Raymond Sevar
Answers to quiz – page101. LYC2. MONGREL3. BELLADONNA4. KENT5. SILICEA6. POTENTISATION7. HERING8. MELANIE9. SRP
10. CONSTITUTIONAL11. AMEL12. EAMES13. SEPIA14. NOSODE15. SARCODE16. REPERTORY17. ERNST18. TINCTURE19. ISOPATHY20. SEVAR21. PHCE22. CANDIDA23. PROVING24. TOTALITARIAN25. BERBERIS26. DECIMAL27. SYMPTOM28. LOCAL29. GENERAL30. HISTORY31. CINA32. ARSENICUM33. BRYONIA34. MODALITY
Successfulcases?
The BHA would liketo hear about them
Do you have satisfied patients that are happy to talk to the media
about how homeopathy has helped them?
Good case studies are a vital part of getting positive media coverage.
A simple case study information sheet can be obtained by
emailing Sarah at:[email protected]
Please use it to tell us about yourhomeopathic successes,
and help the BHA to promotehomeopathy more effectively.
Photo: istockphoto.com
/Sabrina dei nobili
27
•• events
Skin deep:an investigation into skin diseases
Peter Gregory • Saturday 7 February 2009, Oxford
See enclosed
booking form
for details
Faculty of Homeopathy CPD seminar
REPORT:
6th Australian Homeopathic Medicine Conference 2008
12-14 September, Bondi Beach, SydneyThe theme of this sixth gathering of thehomeopathic community in Australiawas “Homeopathy: evidence andefficacy”, a theme to inspire thehomeopaths to move forward in theareas of research and record keeping.
Peter Fisher was the keynote speaker– he presented three papers: ‘Theefficacy of homeopathy – the evidencefrom randomised controlled trials’, ‘Theeffectiveness and cost-effectiveness ofhomeopathy’ and ‘The scientific andpolitical issues facing homeopathy’.With a three hundred strong audience,this evoked much debate and sharedknowledge, throughout the conferenceand at the evening dinner.
The conference had an eclectic mixof speakers from the UK, India, SouthAfrica, Australia and New Zealand.Other presentations included thehomeopathic approaches to autism,management of chronic renal failure
and irritable bowel syndrome. Other interesting talks included ‘An historically successful and validpath to the Similimum – symptom and organ sequence’ by John Maitlandand ‘The state of our materia medica –substance trials and effects forhomeopathic application through thestudy of our primary sources’ byGeorge Dimitriadis. Monica Dunnedemonstrated the ‘Effect ofhomeopathically prepared growthfactors, signal cell enhancers, inchildren with HIV/AIDS.’With the inclusion of other healthcaredisciplines, Peter Varley spoke on the practice of a homeopathic dentist, Dr Claire Middle spoke on the practicaltruths to improve efficacy in veterinaryhomeopathy and I gave a talk on the evidence-based approach tohomeopathic podiatry.
The fight for homeopathy practice is
a global problem with similarities seenwith our colleagues in Australasia.
Tariq Khan
Photo courtesy of Tariq K
han
28
Around 150 delegates attended theCongress this year and the generalconsensus was that it was an excellentevent with a very high standard ofpresentation and an enthusiastic,friendly atmosphere.
On Friday morning, after openingremarks by Sara Eames, President ofthe Faculty, the first presentation was“Re-modelling Medicine” by JeremySwayne. Jeremy’s talk focussed on thechallenge of trying to reconcile thehuge achievements of modern Westernmedicine with the limitations that itsmethods impose. He pointed out howhomeopathic doctors are essentially“paradigm pioneers” and that this isnot usually a comfortable place to be.
Hugh Nielsen then gave aninteresting presentation on thehomeopathic treatment of hypertension.He reminded us of the remedyAdrenalin, with a picture similar toBelladonna and indicated in hypertensiveswith a long history of stress.
Elizabeth Thompson then gavethe first part of an excellentpresentation on the Kali Salts. Sheshowed how various authoritieshave contributed to our currentunderstanding of this important group.Liz emphasised that anxiety has to bethere in Kali cases and the feeling ofneeding to be carried and wanting tobe normal – the “grey man”.
Robert Mathie, the Faculty’sresearch expert, updated us withthe progress of three major datacollection projects: the first is at theUK’s five homeopathic hospitals,the second is in veterinaryhomeopathy where 21 Faculty vetsrecorded data in the treatment ofcats, dogs and horses. The resultswere extremely positive in a rangeof conditions and prove further theefficacy of homeopathy. The thirdproject was the treatment of canineatopic dermatitis, which againshowed positive outcomes.
Jane Greenwood told us what amemorable year 2007 was forhomeopathic podiatry with theappointment of a Podiatry Dean, andthe commencement of teaching ofpodiatry to diploma level at the RoyalLondon Homeopathic Hospital.
John Saxton gave a talk entitled“Dogs are not man’s best friend …dogs aren’t that stupid!” He pointedout that no matter what the situation,
an animal will usually have their ownagenda. He noted the way in whichdomestication affects the reality ofanimal life.
Colin Perry gave a talk on podiatry,psychology and homeopathy, showinghow patients do not talk about theirpodiatry problems in isolation, but alsovolunteer a host of other information.
Raymond Sevar gave a wonderfulpresentation of the homeopathictreatment of a girl with severecongenital heart abnormalities. Hercase was beautifully documented andfollowed up over a number of years. Heused a sequence of well-chosenremedies with amazing impact on thegirl’s health and quality of life.
Tariq Khan gave a very interestingpresentation on the homeopathicpodiatry management of EpidermolysisBullosa. He has treated this conditionfor some ten years with greatoutcomes with medicines such asArsenicum Album and Mancinella.
On Friday evening there was a veryenjoyable trip to the nearby RipleyCastle. After a buffet supper we had anexcellent cabaret, hosted by DavidOwen. There were a number of brilliantcontributions with two of the highlightsbeing singing from Liz Thompsonaccompanied by her husband Trevor onthe guitar and an excellent rendition of“Belladonna Boogie” by John Morgan.
Saturday morning began with a talkI gave on the Spiders. Unfortunately Ididn’t have time to show my video clipof entomology professors beingattacked by tarentulas and scorpions,but maybe that was a blessing for anyarachnophobes present!
Lee Kayne gave an excellentpresentation on the role of the UKpharmacist in healthcare. He showedhow pharmacists are consulted bymore patients than all other healthcareprofessionals put together, and have anexpanding role in the field of homeopathy.
David Owen and Patricia Ridsdalegave a talk entitled “The Octopus andthe String Bag: Managing Confusedand Hidden (Masked) Cases”. Theydescribed different contexts and stylesof supervision and showed howsupervision is an important tool inrecognising recurring problems inpractice and in finding solutions.
Barbara Rigamonti showed howother sciences of animal welfare, suchas ethology, behavioural medicine and
zooanthropology contribute to the skillsavailable to the veterinary homeopathin the analysis of cases.
Chris Day gave a presentationentitled “There’s life in the old dogyet!”. He examined the alternative toeuthanasia which homeopathy canoffer in older animals. He discussedwhether euthanasia is sometimesemployed when other options have notbeen fully explored and howhomeopathy can allow quality of life inolder animals.
Andrew Morrice gave a very well-attended and fascinating talkdiscussing the interplay between thetwo main tendencies in Westernmedical thought: rationalism – whichbases practice on theory and learning;and empiricism – which bases theoryon practical experience. He showedhow the unease or enthusiasm fordifferent schools of homeopathicpractice can be helpfully thought aboutin terms of the empiricist and rationalistimpulses. He concluded thathomeopathic practice should alwaysremain empirical: “unprejudicedobservation of the patient and honestengagement with the results of ourprescribing”.
Ronko Itamura talked about thepsychodynamics in Magnesiumpatients. She beautifully presented twocases and showed howpsychodynamics can help to inform ouranalysis of cases homeopathically.
Trevor Thompson reported on thevery successful homeopathy moduleoffered to students at Bristol UniversityMedical School. He showed how wellmedical students on the modulelearned the most up-to-date conceptsin modern homeopathy and all passedthe Faculty’s PHCE examination, manywith distinction.
Julie Geraghty gave the second halfof the presentation on the Kali Salts.She gave a brilliantly clear exposition ofthe themes found in this group: thedependence, incapacity and lack ofconfidence of Column 1 in the PeriodicTable combine with the Row 4 themesof security and protection in relation tojob, home and health. She alsopresented a beautiful case of Kaliumnitricum which combined the themesof Kalium with the Nitricum sensationof expansion and contraction.
Helmut Roniger updated us on theTunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital
British Homeopathic Congress – 16-19 October, Harrogate
REPORT:
•• events
•• events
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outcome study. He showed how bothhomeopathy and acupuncture have hada positive effect in a substantialproportion of a large cohort of patientswith complex chronic conditionsresponding unsatisfactorily to previousconventional treatment. How sad thenthat Tunbridge Wells is facing such anuncertain future.
On Saturday evening the GalaDinner featured a live band and a disco.There was a demonstration ofArgentine tango and the opportunity to learn the basic steps, which anumber of people eagerly took up,resulting in much hilarity on the smalldance floor!
On Sunday morning our lastpresentation was given by David Lilleyand Bob Leckridge. They talked aboutremedies as archetypes: classical andcontemporary. Bob started with afascinating presentation showing howtwo characters from The Lord Of TheRings clearly demonstrate archetypesin the human psyche. David Lilleyshowed how archetypes are revealedmost potently in the individual indelusions, fears and especially dreams.Possessing knowledge of the hiddenmeaning behind symbols and metaphorsallows the homeopath to correctlyinterpret the significance of dreams.
Many thanks to the OrganizingCommittee and in particular to HilaryClark and Cristal Sumner for the hugeamount of time and effort they put in to stage such a successful event.Congress serves a number of essentialpurposes for our homeopathiccommunity. It is a time when we cancelebrate the depth and variety of thiswonderful healing method. We cometogether to encourage and inspire eachother. Perhaps most of all we can havefun and enjoy each other’s company.Ours is a small community. We needmore than ever at present to supportand motivate each other. Everyonewho attended Congress contributed tothe success of the event: we do notneed to be a presenter to be animportant part of the whole. Just being there and standing up andbeing counted as a homeopath iscontributing. So… if you were unableto come this year, do come in 2010 –you will not be disappointed!
Jonathan Hardy
Delegates assemble for the group photo (above);Andrea Wiessner and Sara Eames liking the look of the programme (left); Patricia Donnachie(middle) together with Cathy Miller (left) andAndrea Dunicliff (right) and one of the packedlectures (below).
Ripley Castle on the Friday night – there’s a bunfightfor the free beer tasting (above); later on delegatesenjoyed a cabaret featuring the dulcit tones of Jeremy Swayne and Frank Randall (left); Liz Thompson entertained us with fab jazz singing,accompanied by Trevor on the guitar (bottom left)
Photos: Clive Sherwood and Roger Neville-Smith
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE EXAM/PRELIMINARY CERTIFICATE IN VETERINARY HOMEOPATHYEXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
PHCE/PCVH 28 February Glasgow 23 January30 March Aberdeen 27 February8 May York 3 April9 May Bristol 3 April18 September London 14 August
PHARMACY DIPLOMA – OPEN TO PHARMACISTS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCE
EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
DFHom (Pharm) TBA TBA 24 July
MEMBERSHIP EXAM– OPEN TO DOCTORS, NURSES, DENTISTS & OSTEOPATHS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCE
EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
MFHom Part 1 17 April Glasgow/Luton 13 February23 October Glasgow/Luton 21 August
MFHom Part 2 15 May Bristol (clinical exam) 6 March22 May London (clinical exam) 6 March12 June Glasgow (clinical exam) 6 March6 November London (clinical exam) 11 September20 November Glasgow (clinical exam) 11 September4 December Bristol (clinical exam) 11 September
MFHom (Nurse) 20 March TBA (written exam) 23 January29 May TBA (viva) 23 January18 September TBA (written exam) 17 July9 November TBA (viva) 17 July
MFHom (Dent) 10-11 September Luton 10 July
MFHom (Osteo) 17 April Glasgow/Luton 13 February23 October Glasgow/Luton 21 August
VETERINARY MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO VETS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PCVH
EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
VetMFHom Part 1 12 October Luton (written exam) 14 AugustVetMFHom Part 2 TBA Oxfordshire (clinical exam) 14 August
SPECIALIST REGISTRATION – OPEN TO DOCTORS WHO HAVE GAINED THE MFHOM
EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
Assessment 15 April Luton 13 February (cases and dissertation)23 April Glasgow 13 February (cases and dissertation)14 October Glasgow 14 August (cases and dissertation)22 October Luton 14 August (cases and dissertation)
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•• events
•• examinations calendar 2009
•• case studies
31
•• events
•• what’s on january – june 2009
Tuesday 27 JanuaryTayside Homeopathic Group
Menopause.Homeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
Wednesday 4 FebruaryBrighton and Hove Group
Menstrual problems/PMT.Meeting at 8pm at Moira Houston’s house.• 07930 563796 for more information.
Wednesday 4 FebruaryWest of Scotland Group
Subject: tbaSeminar Room, Glasgow HomeopathicHospital, 7.30pm• Tom Whitmarsh on 0141 211 1623 [email protected] or Carol Andersonon [email protected] or 0141337 1824
Saturday 7 FebruaryFaculty of Homeopathy CPD Seminar,Oxford
Skin deep: an investigation into skin diseasesSee enclosed flyer for more details.
Saturday 7 FebruaryLondon Homeopathic Group
The Ranunculaeceae Family, Aconite, Pulsatilla,Staphisagria, Ranunculus. Materia medicaand clinical use. Chaired by Deborah Bishop 1 Upper Wimpole Street, London W110.15am – 12.30pm£8.00 to cover refreshments and admin• Anita Davies at [email protected] or Rosie Coles on 020 7935 4271
Tuesday 24 FebruaryTayside Homeopathic Group
Speaker: Lee KayneHomeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
Tuesday 24 MarchTayside Homeopathic Group
Miasms.Homeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
Tuesday 28 AprilTayside Homeopathic Group
Spider Remedies.Homeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
Saturday 9 MayMidlands Regional Group
Speaker and topic to be announcedOld Market Hall, Church Street, Coleshill B43Lunch included. All welcome.• Elaine Archibald on [email protected]
Wednesday 13 MayLondon Homeopathic Group
Practitioners’ audit: Lessons Learned.Chaired by Charlotte Mendes da Costa 1 Upper Wimpole Street, London, W1, 7.15pm£8.00 to cover refreshments and admin. • Anita Davies at [email protected] Rosie Coles on 020 7935 4271
Monday 18 May – Wednesday 20 MayMassimo Mangialavori in Glasgow
Clinical cases by live video link.Seminar Room, Glasgow HomeopathicHospital. All welcome. £100 per day• Tom Whitmarsh on 0141 211 1623 [email protected] or Carol Andersonon [email protected] or 0141337 1824
Tuesday 26 MayTayside Homeopathic Group
Aspartame/Mercury/organophosphatepoisonings.Homeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
Tuesday 23 JuneTayside Homeopathic Group
Sulphurs.Homeopathy Clinic, East Lodge, Royal Victoria Hospital, Jedburgh Road,Dundee DD2 1SP, 7.00pm• Norma Ross on 01382 540201 or [email protected]
If you are organising an event and would like it to be included in futurelistings, please contact Sarah Buckingham at
Regular meetings
Homeopathic supervisionSupervision group based in Winchester, facilitated by David Owen. Upcoming dates are 24 April and 12 June.• David Owen at [email protected]
Leeds Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings in Morley, Leeds.• Pauline Price on 0113 252 8849 or at [email protected]
Northern Homeopathic Vets GroupMeetings are held every month in Leeds, starting at 8.00pm, usually at the homeof one of the participants. All vets with an interest in homeopathy are welcome to attend.All aspects of homeopathy are suitable subjects for the meetings, including case historiesand study of materia medica. • Chris Almond at [email protected]
W Surrey & W Sussex Homeopathic GroupMeetings on the third Tuesday of each month except December, 8.00-10.00pm. Groupmembers include doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists. The aim of the group is to act asa forum for ongoing learning and support, covering all aspects of homeopathy and medicalpractice. 2009 dates: 20 January, 17 February, 17 March, 21 April, 19 May, 16 June, 21 July,18 August, 15 September, 20 October, 17 November. The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill, nr Ockley, Surrey RH5 5PU• Charles Forsyth on 01737 226338 (office), 01737 248605 (home), 07802 293006 (mobile)
Materia Medica andsupervision training
in Winchester 200927-28 January – Silver series16-17 June – Snake remedies
Homeopathic supervision training will take place on 27 January and 16 June
covering the theory and practice of supervision with David Owen.
Materia medica days: 28 January on the silver series and
17 June on snake remedies. Both days will be taught by Jonathan Hardy.
MM and supervision training will be heldin the same week to ease travelling and
give some social time in the evening for those planning to attend both days.
Additional information [email protected]
● Peter Darby, Dental Dean:
● Christopher Day, Veterinary Dean:
● Patricia Donnachie, Nursing Dean:
● Sara Eames, President:
● Julie Geraghty, Vice-President:
● Jonathan Hardy, Independent Practice
Representative:
● Graham Jagger, NHS Primary Care
Representative:
● Lee Kayne, Pharmacy Dean:
● Tariq Khan, Podiatry Dean:
● Bob Leckridge, Promotion Committee Convener:
● Tim Robinson, Members’ Committee Convener:
● Helmut Roniger, NHS Secondary Care
Representative:
● John Saxton, Immediate Past-President:
● Raymond Sevar, Dean:
● Andrew Sikorski, Treasurer:
● Sarah Buckingham – Publications and
Communications Officer:
[email protected] 444 3957
● Hilary Clark – Head of Education and Training:
[email protected] 444 3956
● Robert Mathie – Research Development Adviser:
[email protected] 444 3958
● Lisa Peacock – Exams Administrator:
[email protected] 444 3951
● Tracey Rignall – Membership Officer:
[email protected] 444 3954
● Cristal Sumner – Chief Executive:
[email protected] 444 3949
● Sam Weaver – PA to Cristal Sumner:
[email protected] 444 3945
● Margaret White – Financial Controller (part-time):
[email protected] 444 3953
● Jacqui Woolsey – Receptionist/
Information Assistant:
[email protected] 444 3950
Who to contact at the Faculty
The publishers do not necessarily identify with or hold themselves responsiblefor contributors’, advertisers’ or correspondents’ opinions.
Design by Wildcat Design, email [email protected] • Printed by Piggott Black Bear, Cambridge
Faculty of Homeopathy, Hahnemann House
29 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE
Tel: 0870 444 3955 • Fax: 0870 444 3960
Email: [email protected]
www.facultyofhomeopathy.org
•• contacts
•• staff
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