Simon Stevens says practice is ‘fundamentally flawed’, in letter to standards authority

This article is more than 10 months old

This article is more than 10 months old

The chief executive of the NHS has expressed his “serious concerns” about homeopathy, claiming the practice is “fundamentally flawed”.

Simon Stevens and the NHS national medical director, Stephen Powis, wrote to the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) about the possible reaccreditation of the Society of Homeopaths.

In the letter, dated 22 October, they said the accreditation gave a “false impression” to the public that the society’s treatments were clinically and scientifically established.

“In response to your current consultation, we are writing to register serious concerns about the Professional Standards Authority’s possible reaccreditation of the Society of Homeopaths,” Stevens and Powis said.

“While the Society of Homeopaths may appear to meet some of the PSA’s procedural standards, the basis of their practice remains fundamentally flawed.”

They added that homeopathic remedies were not scientifically validated and recommended to treat any health conditions.

The Society of Homeopaths is the UK’s largest group of registered homeopaths.

Stevens added that he believed homeopathy was no replacement for tried and tested medical treatments. “Anything that gives homeopathy a veneer of credibility risks chancers being able to con more people into parting with their hard-earned cash in return for bogus treatments which at best do nothing, and at worst can be potentially dangerous,” he said in a statement.

The Prince of Wales has long backed the benefits of homeopathic remedies and complementary medicine – and has been criticised by some in the medical profession as a result.