Leyla Sanai

Prince Charles’ irresponsible support for homeopathy

You might have thought that many of the world’s scientists and doctors had come to an unequivocal decision on homeopathy: that it doesn’t work. There has been extensive research into homeopathy, and the unambiguous conclusion is that it has no more benefit than any other placebo. This is not to say that it’s harmful, unless it prevents the patient seeking conventional medical advice. It’s simply ineffective, except for the optimism it may engender.

In 2017, Simon Stevens, the NHS England’s chief executive, said homeopathy was ‘at best a placebo and a misuse of scarce NHS funds’, and ruled that homeopathic ‘treatments’ should no longer be available on the NHS. In 2010, a House of Commons Science and Technology Committee report stated that it was no more effective than a placebo. Back in 1986, the BMA set up an inquiry into homeopathy, after Prince Charles gave a speech on the subject four years earlier. It found no scientific evidence that homeopathy worked.

But our heir to the throne, who is neither a scientist nor doctor, begs to differ. Prince Charles still clings on to the idea that homeopathy works, and on Tuesday announced that he has become a patron of The Faculty of Homeopathy society. In doing so, he has shown that he has no respect for science.

It’s possible, of course, that the heir to the throne is so dim he is confusing homeopathy with holistic medicine. All conventional doctors acknowledge that ideally a whole package of care should be given to a sick patient. Kind, empathetic doctors and nurses should administer medicine and surgery promptly, with clear communication, necessary pain relief, and swift alleviation of side effects. Ideally, this should be done in sterile conditions in a quiet, warm room, with highly nutritious food and adequate hydration, followed by targeted physiotherapy and arrangement of home social services.

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Written by
Leyla Sanai
Dr Leyla Sanai is a Persian-British writer and retired doctor who worked as a physician, intensivist, and consultant anaesthetist before developing severe scleroderma and antiphospholipid syndrome

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