Stacey DooleyAlice Barlow

s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter January 2014

4Homeopathy’s national media campaignhighlighting the health benefits ofhomeopathy and the findahomeopathwebsite has reached millions of people.Launched at the beginning of November,the campaign featured seven femalecelebrities who were photographed withpictures of different remedy sourcespainted on their bodies.

The living canvases were model AmalFashanu, Radio 2 presenter Janey LeeGrace, BBC 3 presenter Stacey Dooley,Hollyoaks actress Alice Barlow, Sky TVsports presenter Charlotte Jackson, TeamGB heptathlete Louise Hazel and formermodel turned natural health guru JoWood. Among the remedies representedin the body art were Gelsemium, Apis,Adamas and Lachesis.

To support the striking collection ofphotographs each celebrity issued astatement endorsing homeopathy, explaining how they use it as part oftheir personal healthcare. Filmedinterviews with the celebrities as theywere having the body art applied alsotook place, which were skilfully edited tocreate short time-lapse films that were acentral part of the social media campaign.

The campaign was featured in theThe Metro, The Daily Express, YOUMagazine and Woman, as well as in anumber of local and regional newspapers.It also appeared on several websites,most notably The Mail Online and YahooLifestyle, while the “HomeopathyWorked for Me” Facebook page,remodelled specifically for the campaign,

attracted over 15,500 “Likes”. Further -more, the findahomeopath websiterecorded a significant spike in thenumber of visitors during the campaign.

Adding together the circulationsand online audiences from all themedia coverage, the message thathomeopathy is an effective form ofmedicine was potentially seen by tens of millions of people.

“The feedback has been unanimouslypositive,” said the Faculty’s chiefexecutive, Cristal Sumner. “Celebrityendorsement is a powerful tool indelivering positive messages abouthomeopathy and we are delighted thatso many famous women agreed to takepart in the campaign.”

Insider Comms, the PR agency thatran the campaign on 4Homeopathy’sbehalf, have reported that using the PRindustry’s standard rule that evaluateseditorial at two-and-a-half timesadvertising value, the media coverageachieved was worth £109,649 – fivetimes more than what the campaigncost to produce.

None of the celebrities received afee for taking part in the campaign.

Media campaign reaches millions

IN THIS ISSUE:News 1, 3Editorial 2

Case studies 6, 18Annual report 9

Research update 17What’s on 23

All photos: Rachell Smith

Amal FashanuLouise Hazel

Charlotte Jackson

2

•• editorial

Where have the last 12 months gone!When I was a child I rememberthinking how slow time passed butnow the weeks and months fly by, witheach year appearing to be shorter thanthe last. This is probably because wespend so much of our time makingplans for the future, which in turn canmean we fail to look back at what wehave actually achieved.

At the beginning of 2013 we wereworking on so many projects I was alittle concerned one or two may haveto be deferred for another year. Butthey have all come to fruition andinclude some major achievements:• the Faculty became a designated body• the profession launched a homeopathybrand

• a celebrity focussed media campaignespousing the benefits of homeopathywas seen by millions

• the Faculty launched its new website

The remarkable thing is that weachieved all of this while still doingthose core elements that make us theFaculty, such as membership support,social media and website promotion,producing our publicationsHomeopathy and simile, planningCongress, meeting with boards andcouncils, holding exams and developingcurriculum. All this would not bepossible without our staff who do atremendous amount of work, especiallywhen you consider their time is dividedbetween the Faculty and the BHA,which means we have the equivalentof 3.5 full-time staff members. Andsome of our successes would not havebeen possible without the collaborativework we are engaged in with otherorganisations and individuals from thesector, and these achievements are aglowing endorsement of what thehomeopathic community can do whenit works together.

However, without the involvementof Faculty members we would not beable to achieve a fraction of what wedo. Thankfully, we have a very activeFaculty membership who makecontributions of their time andexpertise for the benefit of all, whetherthey are simply retweeting a Twittermessage, writing for simile, serving onthe Members’ Committee or standingfor election to the Faculty council. TheFaculty is its members and withoutyour involvement it would not exist.

At the AGM on 13 March, ourpresident Sara Eames will be steppingdown after almost six years in office.Sara has kindly agreed to deliver theRichard Hughes’ Memorial Lecture andwill look back on her presidency to talkabout what as an organisation we canlearn from those years and how toapply it to the future. When Sara firstbecame president I had just beenappointed deputy chief executive. Atthe time we both thought the worst ofthe media attacks against homeopathyand the economic crisis were over, andwe could move forward with plans tobuild Faculty membership, developnew programmes, etc. Oh, how wrongwe were! The attacks and the

A voice from the Faculty Council

Cristal Sumner

recession intensified, and furtherproblems arose with the NHS shake up and the issue of revalidation, so weboth had to quickly learn how to swimin the deep and turbulent waters inwhich we found ourselves.

Luckily for us, Sara is an excellentswimmer and she soon became a first-rate spokesperson for the Faculty aswell as an indefatigable adversary toour critics, often using negativesituations to simultaneously promotehomeopathy and to reveal the“skeptics” for what they really are –fundamentalists spouting bigotedviews who have no genuine concernfor patients. She has tremendouspolitical strengths and has been pivotalin building working relationships withmany individuals and organisations thathave helped the Faculty achieve itsaims. It has been a privilege to workalongside her and I’m sure everyonewill agree we owe her an enormousdebt of gratitude for all she has done.

So from March we will have newpresident. A change of leadership isalways exciting, as it can herald achange in direction and the develop -ment of new ideas and opportunitiesthat are essential for the long-termfuture of any organisation. Once ournew president has taken office I knowthey will have the full support of youall. Rereading my statement about how leadership change is good for anorganisation I guess I should be out on my ear, for I’ve been working for the Faculty in one capacity or anothersince April 2000. Hopefully, one bigchange is enough!

In my time at the Faculty I haveseen it develop and adapt to changingsituations, but what has remainedconstant is that it continues to be aplace for dynamic and caring healthprofessionals, and I take great prideand delight in working for you. Workingtogether, I believe 2014 can be anotheryear of achievement and progress, notonly for the Faculty and its members,but also more broadly for homeopathy.

Cristal SumnerChief Executive

Editor: John BurryConsultant Editor: Cristal Sumner

Faculty of HomeopathyHahnemann House29 Park Street WestLuton LU1 3BE

Tel: 01582 408680Fax: 01582 723032Email: simile@facultyofhomeopathy.orgWeb: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

All the material in this publication is copyrightand may not be reproduced without permission.The publishers do not necessarily identify withor hold themselves responsible for contributors’,correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions.

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s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy

Newsletter

“2014 can be another year of achievement…”

•• news

3

term impact on the manypatients who use the service.

Solicitor Cameron Fyfesaid: “I have been instructedby a former patient of thehomeopathic service tochallenge, by way of judicialreview, the decision of Lothianhealth board to close theservice. I am in the processof applying for legal aid whichshould be granted as we havea strong supportive opinionfrom counsel.”

Grounds for the challengewill centre on the legal argu -ment that the board’s decisionto close the service was basedon insufficient evidence, andtherefore was not compliantwith the Public Sector EqualityDuty which applies under the

Equality Act. An interim inter -dict has also been soughtagainst Lothian health boardto stop them closing theservice in the meantime.

Cristal Sumner, theFaculty’s chief executive, said:“There is no conceivable waythat the decision of NHSLothian to stop fundinghomeo pathy is better forpatients or the NHS and it is only right its decision isbeing challenged.”

The health boardconfirmed it has been notifiedof the move to launch ajudicial review of its decisionto withdraw funding for itshomeopathy service, but saidit would be inappropriate tomake any further comment.

NHS Lothian faces legal challenge tooverturn decision on homeopathyA patient is mounting a legalchallenge to overturn NHSLothian’s decision to stop fund -ing its homeopathy service.

The health board announc -ed its decision earlier this yearfollowing a controversial publicconsultation that appeared to show 72% of those whoresponded wanted an end to funding, with only 27% infavour of retaining the service.However, the quality of theconsultation process wasbeing criticised even while itwas taking place.

The patient, who wishes toremain anonymous, contact edlaw firm Drummond Millerwith her concerns about theway the consultation processwas conducted and its long-

The Faculty has been greatlysaddened by news of thedeath of Francis Hunter atthe age of 83.

Those who knew Franciswill recall a gentleman of the “old school”, who wascharming, highly intelligent,generous with his time, andpossessing a wonderfulsense of humour. But he willalso be remembered for hisimmense contribution towardsthe promotion and widerunderstanding of vet erinaryhomeopathy, and indeedhomeopathy in general.

Francis was undoubtedlyone of the greats of veterinaryhomeopathy, although hewould have been the first (andprobably the only one) torefute that. He certainly had a love of the subject in its own right, but his devotion tohomeopathy sprang mainlyfrom one simple motivation:he felt it enabled him to be a better vet.

Because he felt home -opathy made him a better vet he wanted, firstly, othermembers of his profession tohave the chance to become

better vets and secondly, toenable as many members ofthe public as possible to learnof its benefits for both them -selves and their animals. Thisled to a lifetime involvementwith the Faculty of Homeo -pathy, the British Associationof Homeopathic VeterinarySurgeons (BAHVS), the BritishHomeopathic Association(BHA) and the Friends of theRoyal London Hospital ofIntegrated Medicine.

Francis was a formerpresident of the BAHVS and under his guidance the organisation strengthenedand grew. He also served as

chairman of the BHA, lead ingthe charity with distinction formany years. His enthus i asmfor veterinary homeopathyresulted in him taking up ateaching role on the Faculty’svets’ courses, and he wasone of the first Facultyappointees as a veter in aryexaminer. He remained anexaminer until he died andalthough in recent years heceased to play an active partin the examination process,he remained the final arbiterin any case where the otherexaminers failed to agree.

Such was his dedication tothe Faculty and the BAHVSthat despite his failing healthhe still insisted on attendingthe Faculty’s AGM andBAHVS conferences. Hislevel of commitment duringthis time was probably bestdemonstrated in 2012 when,although recently havingundergone surgery, Francisinsisted on going to theBAHVS conference andattended the lectures lyingon a portable day bed.

Homeopathy has lost atrue champion.

Francis Hunter

Francis Hunter 1930-2013

Belgium moves to outlaw non-medically trainedhomeopathsThe practice of homeopathyby non-medically trainedpractitioners in Belgium has ineffect been outlawed follow -ing a decision taken by thecountry’s Council of Ministers.They have decided thathomeopathy is a medical actand should only be practisedby medical doctors, dentistsand midwives.

The Council of Ministersbased their decision on theofficial recommendation givenby the Belgian Minister ofPublic Health, Ms LauretteOnkelinx. This announcementmeans legislation known as theColla law on non-conventionalpractices (named after MinisterMarcel Colla), adopted by theBelgian Parliament in 1999, canfinally be fully implementedafter 14 years.

In what was seen as animportant and progressive law,Colla foresaw the installationof four commissions (homeo -pathy, acupuncture, osteopathyand chiropractic) and for thefirst time in Belgium, theregulation of complementarytherapies. The aim of the lawwas primarily to give protectionto patients and to discriminatebetween qualified andunqualified therapists.

However, this law onlyregulates human medicine andthe practice of homeopathy byveterinary surgeons will bediscussed in a separatecommission.

The Council of Ministers’decision has been greetedwith anger and dismay bynon-medically qualified homeo -paths both in Belgium andabroad. Nevertheless, whenthe decision is ratified by thepublication of a Royal Decree,only medically qualifiedpractitioners will be able totrain in homeopathic medicineand the practice of homeopathyby those without a medicalqualification in Belgium willcease.

4

•• news

Making cases countEach year millions of patientsworldwide receive homeo -pathic treatment, yet only atiny fraction of these casesare ever written up anddisseminated, and so theresults remain hidden fromthe homeopathy profession,other healthcare professionalsand the wider public.

The Making Cases Countprogramme (MCC) has beenset up to help overcome this.MCC is a tool to help practi -tioners to collect, collate anduse information about theirpatients. The informationcollected can also be used tohelp evaluate homeopathy,and that’s why it’s importantto follow certain protocolswhen collecting it. For thepurpose of data collectionMCC has adopted MYMOP(Measure Your MedicalOutcome Profile), a tool formeasuring the outcomes thatpatients consider the mostimportant. It was developedby Dr Charlotte Paterson inthe 1990s and has since beenused extensively by differenttypes of therapists andresearchers.

MYMOP is a shortquestion naire where patientsuse a seven-point scale toscore the severity of their

symptoms at weekly intervalsover the treatment period.Not only does this give thehomeopath a clearer idea ofwhat has improved and whathasn’t, it also provides anextra tool for evaluating theremedy reaction, as well asproviding quantitative datathat shows to what extentthe patient has benefitedfrom treatment.

Once you have data froma number of patients, you cananonymise it and enter it intoa proforma spreadsheet andthen submit it to the MCCprogramme in return for afree report which describesand evaluates your practice.This can be useful if you wantto communicate the findingswith patients, researchers,other healthcare professionalsand healthcare funders orcommissioners.

If you have any questionsabout the programme, contactClare Relton at c.relton@sheffield.ac.uk

For information on MYMOPvisit www.bris.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/resources/mymop/

For information and details ofhow to register with MCC visitwww.makingcasescount.org

Staff, patients and supportersof the Glasgow HomeopathicHospital have been heartenedto hear Scottish HealthSecretary, Alex Neil, endorsethe hospital’s services andvow to protect its future.

The minister made hiscomments at NHS GreaterGlasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) annual review, whereMr Neil and members of thepublic questioned seniorhealth board staff.

Uncertainty over the futureof the hospital has been grow -ing following the decision by anumber of health boards towithdraw funding for homeo -pathy services, includingreferrals to the Glasgowhospital.

Robert Calderwood, chief executive of NHS GGC, saidthat although there were noplans to close the hospital –also known as the Centre forIntegrative Care – as more than£700,000 of funding camethrough referrals from otherboards, it would be necessaryto review the situation if thismoney vanished.

But Mr Neil was unequi -vocal in his support of thehospital.“I am absolutelydetermined not only that wekeep the Centre for IntegrativeCare open, but that we alsocontinue to develop itsservices, because I believe ithas a significant contributionto make to healthcare notonly in Glasgow but acrossScotland.”

Speaking directly to thosewho are concerned for thecentre’s future, he said:“There is no prospect of usallowing that centre to close.”

After the meeting, Mr Neilsaid he wanted to see thehospital expand its role and,as an example, focussed onthe treatment and careoffered to patients sufferingfrom chronic pain.

“There is no doubt in mymind at all,” he said, “theCentre for Integrative Carecould have a significant role inhelping us to implement achronic pain strategy not justin terms of servicing Glasgowbut in servicing Scotland.”

Scottish Health Secretary,Alex Neil, MSP.

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Ministerial support forGlasgow hospital

Congress theme decidedThe theme for the 2014 British Homeopathic Congress will be “Homeopathy: sustainable healthcare”. The decision was made following an online survey ofmembers in which they were asked to vote for one ofthree options. The two alternative themes were“Homeopathy: art, science and intuition” and“Homeopathy redefined”. The sustainable healthcaretheme was a clear winner receiving 47.3% of the votes.

The 2014 congress will take place in Glasgow at thecity’s prestigious four-star Grand Central Hotel from 13 to 15 November. Details on how to book your place will be published soon.

Those wishing to present at congress need to submit anabstract (maximum 250 words) to the organising committeeby 28 February 2014. To encourage presentations frommore members, a prize will be awarded to the best newpresenter. Guidelines on the preparation of abstracts areavailable from the congress organiser, Lilia Russell atlrussell@facultyofhomeopathy.org

5

Jackson Carlaw, MSP

The inequality of patient accessto NHS homeopathy in Scot -land has been highlighted bythe Scottish Conservative party.They have called for a nationaldebate on the merits of thetherapy so a national positioncan be taken on the provisionof homeopathy services.

Health spokesman anddeputy leader of the ScottishConservatives, Jackson Carlaw,said: “It doesn’t really matterwhether you think homeopathyis a lifesaver or a nonsense,this disparity has to end.”

Mr Carlaw conceded thehomeopathic services costvery little when compared toScotland’s massive £10 billionannual health budget, but said it was wrong that somehealth boards were investinghundreds of thousands in thetherapy while others

dismissed it altogether.To highlight the funding

issue the party publishedfigures from local health boardsshowing that while someboards spend nothing at all onthe comple mentary therapy,others continued to fundhomeopathy clinics andreferrals to the NHS GlasgowHomeopathic Hospital.

However, a senior clinicianfrom the Glasgow Homeo -pathic Hospital has questionedthe accuracy of the figures,saying “I can’t for the life ofme figure how they relate toreality”.

He pointed out severalanomalies including NHSLothian appearing to spendmore on homeopathy thanNHS Greater Glasgow andClyde; NHS Highland spend -ing almost £340,000 whenthey refer on average only 12 patients a year; and NHSLanarkshire, the health boardoutside of Glasgow that sendsthe most referrals to thehospital, quoted as spendingnothing. “That’s just bizarre!”he said.

A Scottish Governmentspokesman said: “It is forindividual NHS boards todecide what CAM they makeavailable based on the needs oftheir resident populations, inline with national guidance.”

Scottish tories call forNHS homeopathy debate

Health do not view the negativeconclusions of the 2010Science and Technology reportas the final word on the matterof evidence, and thatmechan ism of action is not aprerequisite of potentialacceptance of homeopathy.

“Less encouraging wastheir narrow ‘drug-trial’attitude, and realistically it isdifficult to envisage any RCTof homeopathy that can meettheir requirements.”

He added: “It was clear,however, that the findings of

the BHA’s review programmewill be of great interest to the Department of Health.They also indicated theywould be very interested inany ‘new’ trial that providesclear evidence of efficacy/effectiveness.”

Despite the ambivalentoutcome to the meeting the delegation was keen tostress that a discourse onhomeo pathy with the DH wasan important step and a lineof communication for furtherdiscussions was now open.

Dame Sally Davies, CMO

In October the Chief MedicalOfficer (CMO), Dame SallyDavies, along with representat -ives of several complementarytherapies, attended a meetingof the parliamentary group forintegrative health.

Homeopaths will recall thatsoon after taking office in 2013Dame Sally publicly dismissedhomeopathy as “rubbish”. Onthis occasion she focussed onthe growing threat of anti -microbial resist ance; hercommitment to patient-centredresearch, tackling chronicdisease and promoting self-care; her belief that theNational Institute of HealthResearch (NIHR) will be hugelyinfluential in improving health -care; and her passion forimproving children’s health.

On the subject of comple -ment ary medicine she

CMO discusses integrativehealth and CAM

The evidence base for homeo -pathy has been discussed at a meeting between seniorrepresentatives from thehomeo pathy community andProfessor David Walker,Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

The meeting was request -ed by the 4Homeopathy groupfollowing comments made bythe Chief Medical Officer,Dame Sally Davies, to theparliamentary select commit -tee on health in which sherejected homeopathy as“rubbish”.

Attending the meeting atthe Department of Health(DH) in London were Dr RobertMathie, BHA Research Devel -op ment Adviser; Dr SaraEames, President of theFaculty of Homeopathy; RachelRoberts, Chief Executive of theHomeopathy Research Insti -tute; and Tim Martin from theSociety of Homeopaths.Although the meeting wascordial the delegation cameaway with mixed feelings.

Dr Mathie said: “On theplus side the Department of

Homeopathy discussed at the Department of Health

reiterated her support for anytherapy where there is RCT(randomised control trial)evidence, and went on to sayshe thought there was “somegood evidence onacupuncture” and said sheused osteopathy.

With her previous dispar -ag ing comments about homeo -pathy fresh in the minds of allthose present, it came as nosurprise when she said: “Idon’t think there’s goodevidence on homeopathy. I’dneed to see RCTs.”

Addressing the meeting,Dr Peter Fisher from theRoyal London Hospital forIntegrated Medicine (RLHIM)pointed out that the RLHIMhad been voted the numberone hospital in the NHS,before talking about how bothGermany and Netherlands havemore effectively implementedpolicies to delay/reduce anti -biotic prescribing. In relationto this he asked whether theCMO agreed that this wasprobably because alternativetherapies are more widelyaccepted and available inthese countries.

Dame Sally replied thatshe thought culturally peoplein these countries are moreused to – or willing to – followspecific government policy ordirections.

6

•• case study

“Three weeks ago we had to takehim to hospital because he was breath -ing very fast and very shallow. The nextday school called saying that he had triedto kill himself and also that his friendswere aware that he was self-harming.Now he tells us that he is hearing voicesand he hates himself.”

The consultation

What is the worst thing happening atthe moment for you?P: The voices.

Tell me more about that.P: They tell me to cut myself and that I am not good enough.

Say more about that.P: They say that I am not nice and theysay that I should cut myself or kill myself.

What else is really troubling you?P: I am not myself, I am feeling really low.

The patient is a 13-year-old boy who I shall refer to as P. His chief complaintsare self-mutilation and hearing voices.

On his form the patient’s mother haswritten: “About a year ago he woke upwith what looked like an insect bite onhis hand. Since then every other Mondaymorning he wakes up with another on hishand or his feet, arms or legs. They arelarge blisters and they last about twoweeks and then leave a nasty scar. Sincethen he has seen approximately 36doctors and had many blood tests and a biopsy and they have shown nothing.

“He is currently under Great OrmondStreet Hospital. For the last nine monthshe has been suffering with completefatigue and severe head pains. We paidfor a brain scan and again everythingwas clear. He tells me he has beenfeeling very low and anxious and that he has been cutting himself for the lastfour months. He has begun cognitivebehavioural therapy but he doesn’t want to talk to anyone.

In this disturbing but fascinating case, Dr Jonathan Hardyhighlights how homeopathy can help with the growing

problem of self-harm among young people.

A case of self-

Self-harming in the UK in 2013A recent report stated that theNHS treated 22,000 young peoplebetween the age of 10 and 19 forself-mutilation last year. This wasan 11% increase on the previousyear and a nearly 30% increase inthe 10 to 14-year-old age group.The children’s charity YoungMinds says it believes a numberof factors has caused thisdisturbing increase: sexting,cyber-bulling, exam pressures andfamily breakdown. However, theyalso state that in many casesthere is no obvious cause – thechild seems to have a very stablefamily life and is successful andpopular at school. Homeopathy of course has a big role to play inhelping these children.

7

Say more about that.P: I feel numb. I don’t feel anything. I feel down all the time.

What else is not right?P: I am not doing very well at school.

Say more about that.P: I am worried I won’t get goodGCSE’s and I won’t get a job.

If that really happened what would itbe like?P: I wouldn’t have my own house.

What would that be like?P: (no answer)

Tell me about your skin.P: Every other Monday I get this spot onmy skin. It comes up as a red lump andthen blisters. After a while it bursts andgoes sore.

His mother elaborates: “It looks like an

infected bite and it has been every twoweeks for the last year. They come upas blisters and then they burst andthere is a clear discharge and then it isreally sore. Sometimes there is a sort ofyellow discharge. They are usually about4cm in diameter but they can be bigger.They can be on his arms or legs or onhis feet. He is also tired all the time.”

Tell me about your headaches.P: They are very bad. I get really badpains in my head. I feel sick with them.

Again his mother offers additional inform -ation: “He says his head feels like it isbeing crushed. He has extreme fatigue.”

Say more about that.P: I am tired all the time and I don’t wantto do much. I always used to be happyand laughing. I used to like sleepoverswith friends but not now I am too tired.

And any other reason?

P: Yes, I am homesick.

Describe that more.P: I prefer to stay in my own house.

Is there any particular reason?P: (No answer)

What do you like to do best?P: Acting and drama.

Say more about that.P: I like the comedy bit, joking andmucking about.

After the patient leaves the room hismother says: “All this cutting has beena real shock. He used to be so happy.He is really not himself. In the past hewas really nice and easy going: laughingall the time, with a good sense ofhumour. He has always been quiteprivate but lately he has been somewhatembarrassed about his body sayingthat he thinks he is fat.

Photo: C

saba Peterdi/S

hutterstock.com

-mutilation

8

•• case study

(Hippomane mancinella), Mancinella isa remedy which is very important forchildren who have been frightened byhorror movies or who begin to fear theywill be possessed. They can have anobsession with evil forces and the devil.It is a commonly required medicinethese days with the inappropriateexposure of young people to excessivelyfrightening images and films.

More characteristics of Mancinella • Fear of insanity and depressivedisorders

• Compulsive thoughts of suicide andideas of cutting or hurting oneself

• Self-torture

“He also has asthma. He says it’shard to breathe and his chest feels tightbut he doesn’t sound wheezy. A fewweeks ago he had this episode of reallyshallow breathing.

“He has changed – now he is quietand just sitting in his room. He is a verycaring person, very kind. He is the firstto say ‘have mine’ if somebody hasn’tgot something.”

Case analysisThe main features in the case are:suicidal depression, hearing voices,self-mutilation and the skin eruptions.Although the self-mutilation andhearing voices are a mental symptom,the most unusual aspect of the case isthe periodic eruptions: a 4cm diameter,blister-like eruption every two weeks isvery unusual. It is also noticeable thatthe complaints have begun duringpuberty. There has been a significantchange in the boy’s nature as he hasentered puberty. The remedy I chosefor him has the following features:

Rubrics – See table above. In the literature we also find: Fixed ideasof cutting or hurting himself.

The medicine which brings thesefeatures of self-mutilation, hearing voicesand skin eruptions together is Mancinella.

Derived from manchineel tree

• Fear of losing control and suddenvanishing of thoughts (forgets fromone moment to the next what hewanted to do)

• Bashful, timidity• Worse at puberty or climacteric(periods of big changes and low self-esteem)

It has a very strong infinity with the skinand in particular a tendency to vesiculareruptions, large blisters and desquam -ation. It is a medicine for Pemphigus. It was the presence of marked skineruptions in this case which alerted me to Mancinella as the remedy. I prescribe Mancinella 200, one dose.

Follow-up after two weeksThe boy’s mother says: “He’s much,much better. He’s had no headachesand he’s much better in himself.” Iaddress the patient.

Have you noticed anything?P: I’m feeling much better. The voiceshave stopped. I’m not cutting myself.

I prescribe Mancinella 200, one doseevery four weeks.

Follow-up at two months His mother says: “He’s very well.Everything is better. He hasn’t had anyskin eruptions. He’s so much happier.He’s back to his old cheerful self.”

I recommend the patient continuesthe prescribed homeopathic medicine,one dose every four weeks.

Follow-up at four monthsHis mother says: “He’s very well. There’sbeen no asthma and no problems breath -ing. Everything is so much better.Thank you!”

Dr Jonathan HardyMA BM FFHom*

Photos: H

ans Willew

aert/Wickim

edia.com

Hippomane mancinella

Mind Skin Generalities Respiration

Delusions, imaginations: Eruptions: Periodic Asthmavoices, hears Vesicles complaints

Homesickness, nostalgia Eruptions:Discharging, moist

Sadness; puberty, in

Taciturn, indisposed to talk

Suicidal disposition

Homeopathy for young peopleI have been invited to be a guest editor of the journal Homeopathic Links next yearand the June issue will be called “Homeopathy for Teens and Young Adults”. If youhave any cases where young people have been helped by homeopathy, which youwould like to share, please send them to me for inclusion in the journal. It will be anopportunity for us to demonstrate how homeopathy can turn around the lives ofyoung people who are suffering under the tremendous stresses and pressures withwhich modern life presents them. Any discussion and research articles will also bevery welcome. Please do contribute!

Dr Jonathan Hardy • Telephone: 023 9247 1757e-mail: jonathanhardy@homecall.co.uk

9

Faculty of HomeopathyAnnual review 2013

•• president’s report

2013 was another busy and productiveyear for the Faculty. Undeniably, westill face challenges but there havebeen positive developments too.

We have continued to work closelywith other homeopathic organisationsboth home and abroad. In the UK we are still an important part of the4Homeopathy group, which meetsregularly. Initially the main work of thegroup was to establish a relationshipand limit damaging messages in themedia resulting from splits within thecommunity. It is a measure of thesuccess of this collaboration that weare now able to concentrate on themore positive, such as the recentcelebrity campaign which receivedwide coverage in the media.

The Faculty is also active withinthe European Committee for Homeo -pathy (ECH), the organisation represent -ing medical homeopaths from Europe,and LMHI (Liga Medicorum Homoeo -pathica Internationalis), a similarworldwide organisation. The Europeanwork is particularly important as theECH actively follows EU politics, attendsmeetings to promote CAM andhomeopathy in Europe, and lobbies to maintain the rights of medicalhomeopathy and homeopathic medicineproduction and prescribing underEuropean law.

This year the Faculty was grantedDesignated Body status under theMedical Practitioners Act, which allows

us to make recommendations to theGeneral Medical Council (GMC) aboutthe revalidation of our doctors. This isthe culmination of years of negotiations,and although challenging organisation -ally, it increases the status of theFaculty within the medical professionand helps to ensure the future ofmedical homeopathy as a viable careeroption for young doctors. Dr DavidOwen has been appointed ResponsibleOfficer to oversee the revalidationprocess and has ultimate respons ibilityfor the recommendations made aboutour doctors. I am very grateful to himfor the hard work and professionalismwhich he has brought to this role. Wehave already held an appraisers trainingday, set up a network of Facultyappraisers and allocated doctors to appraisers for their first round ofappraisals. It seems likely that otherprofessions will follow the GMC movetowards revalidation and I hope that theFaculty will be able to support our othermembers in the same way in the future.

It is a continuing challenge to recruityoung health professionals to our train -ing courses. There are many reasonsfor this including time consumingchanges in the NHS, the ever-increasingfocus on pathways for treatmentchoices and the general scepticism inthe media around homeopathy. None -theless, it is vital for the future of ourcommunity that we continue to inspireyounger members, and while thenumbers at the teaching centres aresmall, every new candidate is importantfor us. During the year we ran amidwives’ taster day in London whichwas extremely well attended and ledto a number of midwives starting thebasic training. A similar event tookplace in Glasgow and it seems a goodway forward to run introductory sessionseither for a specific profession or basedon the management of a particular area

of illness. These always work bestwhere there is local enthusiasm, so if anyone would like to run a similarevent please contact me or Cristal atthe Faculty.

Many of you will know that I will bestepping down as President at our nextAGM in March. It has certainly been aneventful six years, but on balance I haveenjoyed it and acquired many newskills and friends. I am heartened toleave the Faculty in reasonably robusthealth, for although our membershiphas declined slightly, those who haveremained are fantastic ambassadors,so a special thank you to each of you.I am also very grateful to the BritishHomeopathic Association and theBlackie Foundation Trust who havegenerously supported the work of theFaculty.

As always I would also like to thankour great staff in Luton. It is not exactlya “fashionable” job to work for ahomeopathic organisation at present,yet they are all committed to us in wayswhich far surpass their job descriptions.I have to make special mention of ourchief executive, Cristal Sumner, forwithout her dedication, vision and hardwork we would not be in the strongposition we are today. The support shehas given me during my Presidencyhas been wonderful, with her personalmixture of straight talking, goodhumour and practical intelligence.

I am honoured to have been askedto deliver the Richard Hughes memoriallecture at our AGM in London on 13March 2014. I plan to review the lastsix years in the context of the historyof homeopathy and hope that as manyof you as possible will be able to attendto celebrate our wonderful system ofmedicine and drink a toast to its future.

Sara EamesPresident of Faculty

10

•• annual review 2013

•• dean’s report

As an organisation, the Faculty is awareof the importance of maintaining ourbenchmark policies on education,accreditation and examination. This is no mean task, since homeopathy is continually adapting, changing anddiversifying, in terms of its knowledgebase and skills-set. This demandsflexibility in the approach we take toour academic activities, while alsoworking to preserve some importantfundamentals.

In 2013 we were heartened by thehigh standard of our examinees andwelcomed seven new full members:Jaume Costa Galobart, Gabriella Day,Gary Smyth, Natasha Ward, CristinaPinho, Roger Smith and Zsofia Karvazy.Additionally twenty-two candidateshave successfully passed the PHCEexamination to join our community as licentiates.

Our teaching centres are facingconsiderable challenges, not only ofrecruitment, but also in terms oflogistics and resourcing. The Faculty’saccredited provider in Glasgow,AdHominem, has closed to be replacedby a The Vital Force, a fledglingcharitable organisation which currentlyaims to include some homeopathiceducation within its portfolio ofactivities. We have opened a dialoguetowards Faculty accreditation andfuture collaboration.

Homeopathic education has astrong foothold in Northern Irelandand we plan to support and hopefullyaccredit courses there in 2015. BristolHomeo pathic Hospital has faced thedual challenges of reorganisation andrelocation in addition to the challengeof maintaining their high qualityteaching programme. The Royal LondonHospital for Integrated Medicinecontinues to maintain both modularcourses and experientially-basedcourses for healthcare professionals.

Forward thinking and insightfulwork by David Owen, Cristal Sumnerand Sara Eames has secured theFaculty’s role as a GMC revalidationbody. This has implications for ourexisting CPD policies which are nowunder revision. Current members are encouraged to work towardsSpecialist Registration. Consistent and regular engagement with highersupervised clinical training will make a meaningful contribution to the widerrevalidation process for doctors.

The first of the Faculty’s revalidationmeetings has taken place under theguidance of David Owen and furthermeetings are planned for 2014. All members and doctors currently in training or involved in Facultyprogrammes are encouraged to attend.

The Faculty’s Teachers’ Day inJanuary 2013 focussed on theimplement ation of course basedassessment (CBA). Each of ouraccredited centres has redesignedtheir learning activities to embraceCBA and the centres themselves will publish details of how in-courseassessment informs each student’saccreditation pathway towards MFHom.An outline of the assessment processis expected to appear in the trainingsyllabus for each of our accredited

centres in time for the beginning ofthe academic year 2014-15.

Attracting more healthcareprofessionals into homeopathictraining is a key issue for the Faculty.The Academic Board is committed tothe support of new developments ineducation delivery.

With this in view, we haveestablished a working group for thedevelopment of online learning whichwill be implemented over the comingtwo years. Anyone with experience inthis field, or who has creative time,and/or innovative ideas concerningonline educational design is invited toget in touch.

The examinations process is underconstant review by members of our Examinations Board, who havecontributed a number of high-qualityassessment tools in the course of2013. A detailed review of the PHCEexamination has been carried out, in parallel with revisions and updates to this “flagship” examination.

Planning for Faculty Congress is well underway and we encourageall members to consider submittingabstracts for papers and presentations.The emphasis is on diversity andinclusion and we are looking forwardto the publication of the Congressprogramme, which will be fullyaccredited in terms of Faculty CPD.

2014 will be an exciting year forhomeopathy as there is a realdetermination to work together toprogress our discipline and build ourcommunity. We encourage everyonewith a passion for this creative andhumane discipline to get on board andtake an active role.

Russell MalcolmDean

Annual General Meeting of the Faculty of HomeopathyAn Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the 70th session of the Faculty of Homeopathy

will be held on Thursday 13 March 2014 at 5:45pm.The venue is the Thistle Hotel, Cardington Street, Euston, London. NW1 2LP

The Richard Hughes’ Memorial Lecture will follow the AGM,and will be delivered by Dr Sara Eames.

All members are welcome.

Please RSVP to lrussell@facultyofhomeopathy.org or 01582 408680.

11

annual review 2013 ••

We are seeing an

increase in requests

for talks from

pharmacists on

homeopathy at

Continuing

Professional

Development

meetings up and

down the country

•• pharmacy dean’s report

Another interesting and challengingyear in homeopathic pharmacy beganwith yet more of the now all toofamiliar adverse publicity and endedwith NHS Lothian’s fantastically short-sighted (in my opinion) decision towithdraw the funding for NHS homeo -pathy which seemed to be based onmoney and a discredited consultationprocess rather than any desire to allowpatients to benefit from a therapy thatworks for them. I wonder how far thetiny amount Lothian have slashed fromtheir annual budget by closing thehomeopathic service will stretch when2,000 patients are dropped back intothe chronic care system with conditionsthat were previously well controlled.Patients will suffer and costs will spiral,because as the BMJ shockingly toldus this summer, the “truth [is] thatmost drugs do not work in mostpatients”. [BMJ 2013;346:f3666].

The withdrawal of homeopathicservices by NHS Lothian and someother health authorities has led to manypatients who previously received theirremedies for free having to pay at leastpart of the cost. However, this appearsto have had no effect on the interestin and demand for homeopathy by the general public and colleaguesreport that they are receiving moreinquiries about homeopathy than ever, particularly in the area of acuteprescribing. As a direct result we areseeing an increase in requests for talksfrom pharmacists on homeopathy atContinuing Professional Development(CPD) meetings up and down thecountry. In addition to our ownprofession, pharmacist colleagues havecontributed to CPD training seminarsfor doctors, vets and podiatrists in the last year and this interdisciplinarymodel for health professionals, ofwhich the Faculty was an early pioneer,has been very well received.

Faculty pharmacists Eoghan O’Brian LFHom(Pharm), Frank RandallDFHom(Pharm), Evelyn LiddellMFHom(Pharm) and Steven KayneFFHom have all once again been hard at work writing for journals andmagazines, giving talks and helping to educate colleagues and the public. I would like to take this opportunity tothank them all for their support overthe last year and extend my very bestwishes to Frank on his retirement. On behalf of the Faculty, thank youvery much, Frank, for the contributionyou have made to the practice ofhomeopathic pharmacy in the UK.

Internationally, Faculty pharmacistshave been teaching in both the USAand South Africa in the past year, aswell as a two-day Pharmacy Master -class in Tokyo for members of theJapanese Physicians Society forHomeopathy. The Faculty’scollaboration with the JPSH has beenvery successful in supporting anddeveloping a role for pharmacists inhomeopathy in Japan.

There have been no major develop -ments in regulatory issues this yearand the continued availability ofhomeopathic remedies would stillappear to be assured in UK legislation.As part of a drive to tighten up theguidelines on medical advertising, the

Medicines and Healthcare productsRegulatory Agency (MHRA) have beenlooking at the websites of manufact -urers, clinics and practitioners. Shouldyou be contacted, the Faculty can offeradvice on dealing with their inquiries.

LFHom(Pharm)In the most recent academic year,eight pharmacists passed the PHCEand I extend my congratulations to allof them. I do hope that they willconsider progressing to a higher levelof training over the coming years.

DFHom(Pharm)This qualification level seeks to buildon the clinical skills of the homeopathicpharmacist while also increasing theirknowledge of homeopharmaceutics.In the evolving healthcare environment,the issues discussed on this coursesuch as manufacturing, source materials,pharmaceutical quality and relevantlegislation are becoming increasinglyimportant to the role of the pharmacistas the demand for information abouthomeopathy increases from the publicand professional colleagues. ThePharmacy Diploma programme iscurrently offered by the RLHIM teachingcentre and it is hoped that the coursewill also begin in Belfast in 2014.

MFHom(Pharm)This is the highest level of qualificationwithin the Faculty and comprises acombination of distance learning,clinical and specialist pharmacy topicsbased around the existing MFHomcourses offered at the Faculty teachingcentres. The qualification works wellwithin the framework of specialistclinical competencies being encouragedby the Royal Pharmaceutical Society andthis is an opportunity for pharmacists todevelop consultation and prescribingskills for the new roles in these areasthat we are increasingly being askedto perform.

Please do not hesitate to contactme with any questions or comments,or if I can offer assistance with courses,CPD or any aspect of professionalpractice. I look forward to hearingfrom you.

Lee KaynePharmacy Dean

12

•• annual review 2013

•• podiatry dean’s report

This year has been a quiet year forhomeopathic podiatry and nopodiatrists have become licentiate of the Faculty of Homeopathy in 2013. However, there has been keeninterest in Scotland and 30 podiatristswill begin homeopathic training in thenew year. Further uptakes for traininghave also been confirmed in Londonand Northern Ireland. In 2014, I hopewe can achieve more foundationtraining in homeopathy for podiatryand increase our number within the Faculty.

There has been an ongoing review of podiatry guidelines and theprofession’s scope of practice. Thishas resulted in changes to prescribingrights and from 2014 podiatrists, alongwith physiotherapists, will be able to become independent prescribers.This is a major change for the podiatryprofession, but it does indicate howthe government understands that theallied professions to medicine needfurther powers to deliver a moreefficient healthcare system.

The Society of Chiropodists andPodiatrists annual conference washeld in Liverpool and marked 101years of podiatry. The two sessionslooked at the integrated approach topodiatric medicine, highlighting howpodiatrists are actively involved inusing complementary medicine as anadjunct to their podiatry treatments.At the conference I reviewed theevidence base in the areas of homeo -pathy, herbal medicine, acupunctureand the osteopathy techniques usedin podiatry.

The guest speaker at the secondsession was Dr Hugh Nielsen, MedicalDirector of the Liverpool MedicalHomeopathy Service (LMHS). Hughgave an introduction to homeopathybefore discussing the history ofhomeopathy in the city of Liverpool.

He went on to explain how the LMHSis a Community Interest Company – a limited company created to benefitthe community rather than privateshareholders – before finishing offwith a number of case studies. Hewas followed by Jane Greenwoodwho gave an account of herexperiences volunteering at ahomeopathic clinic in Ghana, whereshe instructed local people in woundmanagement and the treatment ofdiabetic ulcers.

In October the world podiatryconference took place in Rome. It brought together all the podiatryassociations from around the world.Dr Tracey Vlahovic’s group at TempleUniversity, Philadelphia, presented acase study on Plantar fasciitis usinghomeopathic podiatry and its futuremodality for treating this type ofcondition.

Finally, I would like to welcomeLesley Peatfield as the new podiatryrepresentative on the Members’Committee. Lesley is taking over fromJane Greenwood, who has becomethe Promotion Convener. I would liketo take this opportunity to thank Janefor her enthusiasm and hard workduring her time as the podiatryrepresentative.

.

Tariq KhanDean of Podiatry

There has been an

ongoing review of

podiatry guidelines

and the profession’s

scope of practice.

This has resulted

in changes to

prescribing

rights...

•• members’ committee

It has been a lively year on the Members’Committee. We’ve welcomed severalfresh faces on to the committee who arebringing new outlooks to our deliberationsas we work hard to address members’concerns and to liaise between themembership and Faculty council. I wouldlike to thank all committee members fortheir input over the past year.

We’re delighted to welcome to thecommittee Lizzy Baines, representing theSouth West; Margaret Reid, representingNorth East and International; and AnneO’Reilly and Lesley Peatfield, representingthe vets and podiatrists respectively. Westill have a few vacant positions on thecommittee, namely the doctors’ represent -ative, and reps for South Wales, EastAnglia, England Central, England North-West, Scotland Central and ScotlandSouth-East.

With the influx of new committeemembers much thought has been given tothe role of a members’ representative andwe have reviewed the original terms ofreference, duties and areas of activity. This has reinforced our own thoughtsaround the role of the representatives,particularly in offering local support andencouraging contact now that peer feedbackand interaction between colleagues areimportant parts of reflection andrevalidation. From a large local groupmeeting to just two or three membersmeeting together for mutual support and to discuss cases, area representatives arehappy to help to facilitate meetings and tohelp bring members together. These localmeetings, large or small, are crucial ingauging the views of the members so thatthe Members’ Committee can influencediscussions on future policy at councilmeetings and at Faculty strategy days.

Photographs of your representativeswill soon be appearing in the local groups’section of the members’ area on theFaculty website, so that you will be able to recognise us at congress and at other

13

annual review 2013 ••

…much thought

has been given to the

role of a members’

representative and

we have reviewed

the original terms

of reference,

duties and areas

of activity

…the fight to save

these services

continues as

a patient is

mounting a legal

challenge, in

the form of a

judicial review,

to overturn NHS

Lothian’s decision

e convener’s report

meetings. And talking of congress, workhas already begun in planning the 2014British Homeopathic Congress in Glasgowand the committee is once againcontributing ideas. It promises to beanother exciting and educationalexperience, so look out for more newsabout this not-to-be-missed event in simileand on the Faculty website.

The committee receives regular updateson Dr Robert Mathie’s research work, whichis entering an important phase. The Faculty’scommunications officer, John Burry, keepsus abreast of the coverage homeopathyreceives in the national media – print,broadcast and online. While our digitalmarketing officer, Mohammed Saqib Ali,reports on the latest developments beingmade to the Faculty website, particularly tothe members’ area, and activity on thesocial networking sites, an increasinglyimportant sphere of communication.

Please be assured that the Members’Committee works hard on your behalf torepresent your interests and you cancontact your local or professionalrepresentative at any time to express yourviews. Alternatively, if you wish to be moreactively involved by filling one of the repvacancies, please contact me attrish@lastmango.co.uk or the Faculty’smembership officer, Tracy Simmons, attsimmons@facultyofhomeopathy.org

Patricia RidsdaleMembers’ Committee Convener

•• nursing dean’s report

Things have been very busy in Scotlandover the last 12 months, with NHSLothian conducting a public consultationinto whether it should continue fundingits homeopathy service. In Lothian wehave five days of homeopathy acrossthree practices, involving two doctorsand one nurse. The support for theseservices from patients and othermedical professionals has beenextensive and I would like to take thisopportunity to thank each and everyone of them. They have workedtirelessly to prevent the closure of theservice but, at the time of writing thisreport, we have been informed thatthe Lothian clinics will close at theend of March 2014. Nevertheless, the fight to save these servicescontinues as a patient is mounting a legal challenge, in the form of ajudicial review, to overturn NHSLothian’s decision.

The closure of these services willbe a great loss to the patients of Lothianwho suffer from chronic diseases andwho have found a therapy that workswell for them. The majority of thepatients will have already tried numerousother therapies before being referredto homeopathy, a fact that you will all be well aware of with your ownpatients.

Another public consultation has justbegun in Lanarkshire which involvestwo clinics and three practitioners,one nurse and two doctors, and assoon as a conclusion is reached theFaculty will let you know the outcome.

On a happier note, I would like totake this opportunity to congratulateElizabeth Baines who gained herMFHom(Nurse) this year. Also,Amanda Joan Sizeland who hasbecome a LFHom(Midwife), andSusan Greenfield-Burks and ChristineMcAlister who both passed theLFHom(Nurse) exam. I would

encourage all LFHom nurses tocontinue with their development andprogress on to the MFHom, andcontinue practising homeopathy asmuch as they can.

I would also like to congratulatethe 15 students who graduated fromthe 4 Kenia College of IntegratedMedicine in Kenya. This is a wonderfulachievement and I look forward tohearing all about your new jobs.

With congress coming to Glasgowthis year I’m hoping as many nursesas possible will attend, as it is alwayslovely to see you and find out whatyou are all doing within your ownfields using homeopathy. It would begreat to see some of you present yourcases and getting actively involved.Attending congress goes towardsyour CPD, and bursaries are availableto help with the cost of attendance.

So make sure you make a note inyour diary! The 2014 BritishHomeopathic Congress will be takingplace in Glasgow from 13-15November. Information on how tobook your tickets will be published insimile and on the Faculty website. I look forward to seeing you there.

Patricia DonnachieNursing Dean

•• annual review 2013

•• promotion convener’s report

Although many editors appear to haveadopted a negative stance in relationto homeopathy, the Faculty seizesevery opportunity to defend the medicaldiscipline and its provision on theNHS. Much of the coverage gained is through reactive media statementsbut opportunities do arise that allowus to take a more proactive approach.

Broadcast mediaOver the last 12 months several storieshave made the headlines that haveallowed the Faculty to get its messagedisseminated through national andlocal broadcast media. In December2012, the story of a mother’s refusal toallow her son to undergo conventionalcancer treatment resulted in FacultyPresident, Dr Sara Eames, appearing on Channel 5 News to debate the issueof whether homeopathy and CAMshould ever be considered in thetreatment of cancer and other lifethreatening diseases.

This story was picked by otherbroadcasters with Dr Noel Thomasappearing on BBC Radio Wales, Dr BrianKaplan appearing on BBC Radio 5 Liveand Dr Eames appearing on LBCRadio (London).

When the Health Secretaryrenounced homeopathy in August, Dr Eames accepted invitations to debatethe provision of NHS homeopathy witharch sceptic Professor David Colquhuonon both BBC TV Global News andBBC Radio 5 Live.

The call by the health spokespersonfor the Scottish Conservative party,Jackson Carlaw MSP, for a nationaldebate on the provision of NHS homeo -pathy saw Dr Eames again taking to the airways to debate the issue withanother leading sceptic, Simon Singh,on BBC Radio Scotland.

During the year, Faculty membershave also appeared on BBC Radio

Somerset, BBC Radio Tees and Abbey104, a community station in Dorset.

Print mediaA statement issued by the Faculty in response to the disparaging remarksabout homeopathy made by thegovern ment’s outgoing Chief ScientificAdviser, Professor Beddington, waspublished in the Daily Telegraph.

NHS Lothian’s decision to withdrawfunding for homeopathy servicesresulted in a defiant statement fromthe British Homeopathic Association(BHA), the Faculty’s sister organisation,appearing in The Scotsman, TheEdinburgh Evening News and TheHerald. A few days later, a 500-wordopinion piece by BHA chairman, JohnCook, attacking the health board’sdecision was also published in TheEdinburgh Evening News. Morecoverage followed, when the samepaper then featured a patient’s accountof how her health has benefited fromreceiving NHS homeopathy. Theannouncement that a patient is mount -ing a legal challenge to overturn NHSLothian’s decision secured furthercoverage with a statement issued bythe BHA appearing in The Scotsman.

Dr Tim Robinson appeared in a positive feature in the Daily Mailthat looked at GPs who integratedcomplementary therapies into theirpractice. Dr Robinson was alsointerviewed by journalists for articlespublished in Woman’s Own, Healthand Fitness and Prima.

OnlineWe have achieved considerable successin increasing the Faculty’s socialmedia presence in 2013. At the timeof writing the Faculty’s Twitter accounthas 1,180 followers, an increase of101% on the previous year; while theFaculty’s Facebook page now has atotal of 600 likes, an increase of 107%when compared with last year’sfigures. Social media is becoming anincreasing important sphere is whichto communicate our messages, andall members are encouraged to createtheir own Twitter and Facebookaccounts to enable us to build on thisyear’s success. The Faculty’s websitehas undergone a major redesign andall members are encouraged to

regularly visit the website, as this isthe forum where all the latest newsand developments are first published.

In October, nine Faculty memberswere filmed talking about how theyfirst became interested in homeopathyand why they feel it benefits theirpatients and practice. The films arebeing edited and will appear on theFaculty’s website early next year.

4HomeopathyThe Faculty continues to work closelywith its partners in the 4Homeopathygroup. The major project for 2013 wasthe celebrity campaign. Launched at thebeginning of November, the campaignwas aimed at increasing public aware -ness of homeopathy and to promotethe Find a Homeopath website.

The campaign was featured in theThe Metro, The Daily Express, YOUMagazine and Woman, as well as in anumber of local and regional news -papers. Several websites also coveredthe campaign, most notably The MailOnline and Yahoo Lifestyle. The picturesand time-lapse films were also usedto promote the campaign on socialmedia networks.

Adding together the circulationsand online audiences the campaignhad the potential of being seen bytens of millions of people, while theFacebook page set for the duration of the campaign attracted over 15,500“Likes” from visitors.

I would like to take this opportunityto thank all Faculty members who havegiven up their time to help deliver theFaculty’s media messages.

Finally, on behalf of the Faculty, I would like to offer a very special thankyou to our outgoing President, Dr SaraEames, who throughout her presidencyhas always made herself available,often at very short notice, to appear infront of television cameras and radiomicrophones to defend and promotehomeopathy. Sara’s six years in officecoincided with a period when homeo -pathy was frequently attacked in thepress, but I’m sure all will agree thather performance under an oftenintense and hostile media spotlighthas been outstanding.

Jane Greenwood Promotions Convener

15

annual review 2013 ••

• • veterinary dean’s report

2013 will be remembered with sadnessas the year in which we lost FrancisHunter: a stalwart for homeopathy,veterinary homeopathy and goodfriend to many of us. His congenialmanner, quiet charm and elegantdiplomacy will be sorely missed.

This year was the second time we ranthe VetMFHom examinations in thespring, instead of November. It certainlyappears to be the better option. Fourcandidates attended and all passed. I offer hearty congratulations to CarolineCutmore, Lori Leonard, Clare Povahand Ann Wood. Passing the VetMFHomexamination is a creditable achieve -ment. I welcome these veterinarysurgeons to Faculty membership andhope that their future careers will beenhanced by their use of veterinaryhomeopathy.

The Faculty offers thanks to theexaminers, without whom none of thiswould be possible.

The review of the VetMFHomexamination is still under way. We havenever given up hope of RCVS recognit -ion of the examination, so we need toensure fitness for purpose andcompatibility with RCVS Specialistqualifications. The Veterinary Dean andexaminers welcome the increaseduse of course-based assessment andare considering how it fits into thewhole picture. A proposal will be putbefore the first Academic Boardmeeting in 2014.

After offering many years of trainingfor veterinary surgeons, the HPTG willcease to exist after 2014. It has evolvedinto the British Academy of VeterinaryHomeopathy, which is currentlydevelop ing its courses before offeringthem to students. This developmentwill involve the Faculty in renewedaccreditation work. The Bristol TeachingCentre continues as before. These

courses are available to qualifiedVeterinary Surgeons and RegisteredVeterinary Nurses.

In Latvia, a new intake has beensigned up, ensuring continued teachingfor the Baltic veterinary community forthe coming three years. Because thiswas run by the HPTG, which is nowfading from the scene, the Faculty willbe carrying out fresh accreditation workfor these courses. In Canada and Japan,veterinary teaching was offered by theHPTG, which will be subject to changein 2014.

During 2013, the LFHom(Vet)examination was passed by Paula MarieBeviss-Challinor gained from the UK,along with Juris Tolpeznikovs and IlzePetersone from Latvia.

This preliminary examination nowforms part of the portfolio of aspiringVetMFHom candidates and permits acandidate to put to the test his or herhomeopathic knowledge, acquiredduring early training. This was itsthirteenth year in existence. I offer my congratulations to the successfulcandidates. The precise format of thisexamination is also under review intandem with the VetMFHom, in discuss -ion with the Teaching Centres, so thatan integrated pathway will result.

The syllabus and guideline bookletsfor VetMFHom and LFHom(Vet) will bereviewed alongside the examinationreview, taking into account experiencesof the 2013 examination round. TeachingCentres and prospective candidates areencouraged to obtain these booklets,when published, in order to ensurethat the 2014 examinations hold nosurprises for tutors or candidates.

As in 2012, homeopathy wasrepresented both at the RCVS (MarkElliott is an elected member of RCVSCouncil) and BVA (Brendan Clarke isYorkshire and the Humber regionalrepresentative on BVA Council).

The Faculty has inevitably focusedattention on the current politicalsituation and its ramifications but iscontinuing its normal work as usual.Clearly, recruitment of new blood is anissue and the Veterinary Dean will beginoffering lectures to local veterinarygroups, alongside parallel input fromresearch experts. The animal-owningpublic is as keen as ever on homeo -pathic veterinary help and the Faculty

has to ensure continued availability ofthis important welfare contribution.

Robert Mathie, the BHA’s ResearchDevelop ment Adviser, has been work inghard on data from veterinary studiesand seeking publication in peer-reviewjournals. This behind-the-scenes workis an invaluable component of thespectrum of activity of the Faculty.

No one has applied for the post ofVeterinary Dean, which means that Ishall continue to hold office for atleast a further year (until the AGM in2015), depending upon developments.Applications for this post are stillinvited. I would be happy to discussthe post and the work involved withprospective applicants.

SummaryAs in previous years, the vociferous andsometimes vicious attacks on homeo -pathy have drawn the communitytogether, ensuring focus on a commonpurpose rather than on the minutiae ofdivergent approaches to our discipline.

The patient community, whetherhuman or animal, continues to call forour help and this provides the necessaryincentive to persist in efforts to maintainnormal operation, despite currentopposition.

The Faculty has provided standardsin veterinary homeopathy that arerespected around the world. TheVetMFHom examination represents thepinnacle of achievement and continuesto provide a “gold standard”. The RCVShas described holders of the VetMFHomas “specialists”, despite not officiallyrecognising the qualification. Ourcontinued hope that this situation willchange for the better, quite apart fromour dedication to the betterment ofveterinary homeopathy, helps to ensurethat we do not relax our efforts to main -tain and develop standards.

I should very much like to thank theFaculty office team for their energeticsupport and invaluable help throughoutthe year.

If readers would like moreinformation on any aspect of this report,or if there are any educational mattersmembers would like to discuss, pleasecontact me.

Christopher DayVeterinary Dean

16

•• annual review 2013

Thank you to everyone who has paidtheir fees promptly, for as you can seeour most significant income is thatfrom membership subscript ions. Inthis uncertain climate we werepleased that membership incomestayed constant enabling the Facultyto move forward with the workrequired by its members.

In reviewing the income andexpenditure figures, you will note thatboth income and expenditure werehigher in 2013 than 2012. The reasonfor this is the Congress which happensevery other year which adds over £40Kto our income and expenditure. Factor -ing out the Congress, the Facultyreduced expend iture and increasedincome over the period.

Retaining and recruiting membershas remained a priority over the yearand investment has been made toenhance our website and supportdevelopments that will best serve themembership such as pursuing Design -ated Body status by the GMC. Wethank the British Homeo pathic Assoc -iation for their ongoing support of ouracademic work with a grant of £50,000and an additional grant of £20,000 toseed fund our designated body work.The level of support provided by theBHA is essential to our work and wecannot be more grateful for theirassistance.

We also thank the Blackie Found -ation Trust for their grant of £25,000towards our educational work and£6,000 for bursaries that went to firstyear students and to those wanting toattend Congress but who would beotherwise unable to due to financialpressures. We also thank the BarcapelFoundation for their continuing supportfor students pursuing the DFHom orMFHom after the first year of studythrough bursaries. These bursariesfrom the Barcapel Foundation andBlackie Foundation Trust are keepingstudents on courses and are greatlyappreciated.

Over the period we made signif -icant structural changes to address theaccumulated deficit which meantreducing expenditure generally andthen implementing staffing changesafter the first quarter. These stepshave paid dividend by providing uswith a small surplus and we areworking towards 2013-14 being aneven better year financially as wecontinue in our efforts to improve theFaculty’s finances. The Faculty Councilis keep ing a vigilant eye to ensure weare meeting targets while remainingresponsive and proactive to ourmembers’ needs.

Andrea Wiessner, TreasurerCristal Sumner, Chief Executive

•• treasurer’s report

2013 2013 2012 2012£ £ £ £

IncomeMembership subscriptions 127,612 129,751Academic: exams, teachingand accreditation 14,973 14,968

Events and Congress 44,223 0Journal and Simile income 37,400 33,741Miscellaneous 2,084 4,822Grants:– British Homeopathic Association 50,000 50,000– Nelson Barcapel Bursary Fund 13,000 13,000– The Blackie Foundation 31,000 3,000– Revalidation Grant 6,459 0– Leadership & Management Grant 0 1,000

326,750 250,282

ExpenditureMarketing and promotion 7,470 8,347Academic: exams, teachingand accreditation 31,887 40,999

Journal and Simile 53,394 63,025Events and Congress 49,543 1,725Corporate 63,481 41,263Administration and overheads 111,812 149,364

323,586 304,723

Operating surplus (deficit) 3,164 (54,442)Less taxation – –

Operating surplus (deficit) 3,164 (54,442)Accumulated (deficit) funds brought (44,419) 10,023

(41,255) (44,419)

Draft balance sheet as at 31 August 2013

2013 2013 2012 2012£ £ £ £

Fixed Assets 4,254 0

4,254 0

Current AssetsCash at bank: Current accounts 18,351 5,724

Deposit accounts 14,270 5,038Sundry debtors 31,234 23,610Prepayments 3,916 27,607

67,771 61,979

Less: Current Liabilities

Connected charity creditor 75,656 44,106Miscellaneous creditors 37,623 62,292

113,280 106,398

Net Current Assets (45,509) (44,419)

Total Current Assets (41,255) (44,419)

FundsAccumulated defecit (69,012) (59,424)Designated funds 27,757 15,005

(41,255) (44,419)

Draft income and expenditure – Year ended 31 August 2013

forward from previous year

17

•• research

participant scored how “unwell” theyfelt before and after treatment (MD0.03; 95% CI -3.16 to 3.22; P > 0.05).None of the included studies reportedon adverse events.

Authors’ conclusionsA pooled analysis of two small studiessuggests a possible benefit for clinicalhomeopathy, using the remedyAsafoetida, compared to placebo forpeople with constipation-predominantIBS. These results should be interpretedwith caution due to the low quality ofreporting in these trials, high or unknownrisk of bias, short-term follow-up andsparse data. One small study found nosignificant difference between individual -ised homeopathy and usual care; noconclusions can be drawn from thisstudy due to the low number ofparticipants and the high risk of bias. In addition, it is likely that usual care haschanged since the trial was conducted.Further high quality, adequatelypowered RCTs are required to assessthe efficacy and safety of clinical andindividualised homeopathy comparedto placebo or usual care.

ReferencePeckham EJ, Nelson EA, Greenhalgh J,Cooper K, Roberts ER, Agrawal A.Homeopathy for treatment of irritable bowelsyndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev2013; 11: CD009710.

BackgroundEvidence-based treatment guidelineshave not been able to give guidance onthe effects of homeopathic treatmentfor IBS because no systematic reviewshave been carried out to assess itseffectiveness. Two types of homeopathictreatment were evaluated in thissystematic review: in clinical homeopathya specific remedy is prescribed for aspecific condition; this differs fromindividualised homeopathic treatment,where a homeopathic remedy based ona person’s individual symptoms isprescribed after a detailed consultation.

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety ofhomeopathic treatment for treating IBS.

Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs),cohort and case-control studies thatcompared homeopathic treatment withplacebo, other control treatments, orusual care, in adults with IBS wereconsidered for inclusion.

Data collection and analysisTwo authors independently assessedthe risk of bias and extracted data. Theprimary outcome was global improvementin IBS. The overall quality of the evidencesupporting this outcome was assessedusing the GRADE criteria. The authors

calculated the mean difference (MD)and 95% confidence interval (CI) forcontinuous outcomes and the risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI for dichotomousoutcomes.

Main resultsThree RCTs (213 participants) wereincluded. No cohort or case-controlstudies were identified. Two studiespublished in 1976 and 1979 comparedclinical homeopathy (homeopathicremedy) to placebo for constipation-predominant IBS. One study published in1990 compared individualised homeo -pathic treatment (consultation plusremedy) to usual care (defined as highdoses of dicyclomine hydrochloride, faecalbulking agents and diet sheets askingthe patient to take a high fibre diet) forthe treatment of IBS in female patients.

Due to the low quality of reporting inthe included studies, the risk of bias inall three studies was unclear on mostcriteria and high for some criteria. GRADEanalyses rated the overall quality of theevidence for the outcome “globalimprovement” as very low, due to highor unknown risk of bias, short-termfollow-up and sparse data.

A meta-analysis of two small studies(129 participants with constipation-predominant IBS) found a statisticallysignificant difference in global improve -ment between the homeopathic remedyAsafoetida and placebo at a short-termfollow-up of two weeks. Seventy-threeper cent of patients in the homeopathygroup improved compared to 45% ofplacebo patients (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.18 to2.18; P < 0.05). There was no statisticallysignificant difference in global improve -ment between the homeopathic remediesAsafoetida plus Nux vomica and placebo.Sixty-eight per cent of patients in thehomeopathy group improved comparedto 52% of placebo patients (1 study, N= 42, RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.15; P >0.05). There was no statisticallysignificant difference found betweenindividualised homeopathic treatmentand usual care (1 RCT, N = 20) for theoutcome “feeling unwell”, where the

I’m currently writing up the paperthat reports our systematic reviewand meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials of individualisedhomeopathic treatment; thesynthesis of results is complete,having been carried out accordingto the study protocol published inthe BHA website’s Researchsection (Our systematic reviewprogramme). A paper reporting thecorresponding review and analysisof clinical trials in veterinary homeo -pathy has already been submittedto a peer-reviewed journal.

Robert Mathie,Research Development Adviser,British Homeopathic Association

BHA research New Cochrane review: Homeopathyfor irritable bowel syndrome

•• research updateFrom the journals

Asafoetida – the dried latex gumexuded from the roots of several

species of Ferula

Photo: M

asa Sinreih in Velentina Vivod/W

ikimedia

18

•• case study

In October 2010, Linda Johnston MDpresented the Malvaceae plant familywith its key remedy Chocolate. Her talkwas filled with compassion, wit andwisdom, and gave a fascinating insightinto the unique place chocolate has inour society. It also sparked in me theidea for a prescribing indication forchocolate as a homeopathic medicine.

Chocolate is made from the seedsof the Theobroma cacao tree, the onlyplant/seeds on the planet to containAnandamide, a natural pleasure inducingneurotransmitter which gives a feelingof bliss. Anandamide receptors arepresent in the brain, uterus, fallopiantubes and embryo. Anandamide synchro nises the preparation of theuterine lining with embryo developmentand fallopian tube contractions. It has a key role in enabling implantation of the embryo. The levels are highest justbefore implantation and drop soon after.If there is no embryo to implant then the Anadamide level stays high and a craving for chocolate often developsin the woman in the week precedingmenses.

The tree Theobroma cacao neverlets go of its fruit – never. My idea wasthat an infertile woman with a historyof having had an apparently healthy invitro fertilisation (IVF) embryo whichfailed to implant might benefit fromchocolate as a homeopathic medicine.

Infertility, IVF and the context of mourningEvery adult woman naturally assumesthat she is fertile and will be able tobecome pregnant when it is time forher to do so. There is a rather oldfashioned word for infertility in awoman – barren. It might be regardedas rude and hurtful to say the word, but it is there unsaid. There is a socialcontext which legitimises a period ofmourning after a miscarriage, but nonesuch for a woman in whom an IVFembryo has failed to implant. Such anevent emphasises her barrenness inher own mind and in the minds ofothers, but there is no social contextfor a period of mourning afterwards.Life goes on.

Case 1: The first IVF embryo fails toimplantJ is a single, heterosexual 43-year-oldhealthcare professional in Australia.She has had one IVF embryo whichfailed to implant. J is friend of mydaughter who asked me if there was ahomeopathic medicine that might help.

Having met J on a visit to Australia Iremembered her as a bright, perky,conscientious, compassionate, caringand enthusiastic health professional,much-loved by her clients and friends.She has big blue eyes, long curly darkhair and an open friendly manner insocial occasions.

My daughter tells me that J hadrealised that she was not going to havea husband to be father to her child but

that in the depth of her being she stillwanted to have a child. She embracedthat realisation, along with theconsequences of being a single motherand working healthcare professional,and went forward with the first IVFwhich failed to implant. I suggestedChocolate 12C, one pill from the firstday of the IVF prep until 14 weekspregnant and then stop. The IVF embryoimplanted this time. On 20 July 2012, J went into spontaneous labour at termand gave birth to healthy full-term girlweighing 7lb 10oz (3.4kg) andmeasuring 50cm in length.

Case 2: Decades of hope anddisappointment E is a 44-year-old lady who has been

Bringing forth life

19

my own. We went through the wholeprocess of applying for adoption only to be told we were not suitable. All thetests and scans I’ve had are normal.After the second failed IVF we both hadacupuncture. All that happened was myperiods got heavier. Then we both hadChinese herbal treatment which cost£1,000 pounds each, but that didn’twork either.

I didn’t want to foster because I knewI would get too attached to the child andit would be so very hard to give the childback. I would treat the child as my own... when it would come time to say good -bye and give the child back – I justcouldn’t face that.

I grew up on my father and brother’sfarm and they were horrible to eachother. I could hardly stand it. It was a lifeof lies and violence and deception andrage and alcohol and awful strugglesand solicitors. I was disregarded andpoorly treated. I more or less brought up my four younger nephews. I havethree older brothers and they all havechildren. I’m the sad one with no one. I left school at 16 and started to save

trying to become pregnant for manyyears. She has exhausted all forms ofNHS treatment available for infertility.In the last seven years she has had four attempts at IVF from her own and donor eggs which have failed toimplant. She works as a checkoutassistant in a supermarket. She hastaken out bank loans to finance herinfertility treatment.

Consultation January 2012E: I’m awaiting another donor eggmatch and would like to have anotherattempt at IVF, probably in March, butfour previous attempts have failed. Mypartner has had sperm retrieval donebecause he’d had a vasectomy and the vasectomy reversal failed. Eachattempt at IVF costs thousands ofpounds and I have been trying forseven years – it is very hard to bear.

She sighs deeply, looks anxious, has longblack frizzy hair, is wearing black trousersand anorak, and has telangiectasia onher cheeks. Her posture is sort ofcrumpled and resigned.

E:My periods began when I was 16and they were always very light. I livedon a farm as a child. My father workedin partnership with his two brothers andthey argued a lot. I left school at 16 andwent to work in shops. I started in anold-fashioned chemist’s shop and hewas nice. Then I went to work in asupermarket. The atmosphere ishorrible – when they shout jump youmust jump or you’re out.

She gestures wrapping her armsaround herself.

E: I have lots of pets – three rabbits andthree cats, and I take in stray cats. UntilI met my partner I seemed to be justused for sex by my boyfriends ... theywould say “I’ve talked to you for awhole 20 minutes now, so that’senough”. My partner and I can just talkfor ages. He has three children by hisex-wife but has no access to them. Wediscussed adopting or fostering a childbut I do really want to have a baby of

Photo: Fan

der09

/ istock.co

m

money to have a baby. I didn’t go outwith a boy till I was 20. And then myboyfriends just used me for sex, but I never got pregnant.

I am chilly. I like to keep warm. I wearbed-socks. If I’m warm I can sleep but ifI’m cold I can’t. I hate coffee – even thesmell. Food isn’t a big priority with me. I eat a lot in the evening because I haveno appetite during the day. I can go allday without food. I really love tea andhave lots of cups every day.

I work hard. I worry too much. Every late period brings hope; then the negative pregnancy tests bringdisappointment again and again.

Tears spring to her eyes but she doesnot let them fall.

E: I cry rarely. I’ve a friend who worksfor Animal Concern and she asked meto foster a kitten. I immediately gotattached to her. Taking her back to thekennels and leaving her there wasawful. I went home and cried and cried. I had to go back to get her and bring her home to stay.

Photo: F

ir0002-Flagstaffotos/wikim

edia.com

Dr Raymond Sevar explains how homeopathic medicine derivedfrom chocolate may help in the treatment of infertility.

Theobroma cacao tree

20

•• case study

I ask her directly about her feelingsabout chocolate

E: I’m like a squirrel with chocolate. Ihoard it and keep it hidden and eat a bitnow and then.

Analysis and prescriptionWhen she phoned to make the appoint -ment she asked me if I had any experienceof treating ladies who’d had previous IVFattempts which had failed to take. I saidyes, one lady who had one previousfailed IVF who became pregnant and hada baby after homeopathic treatment. Shethen apologised for asking, explainingmoney was scarce and she couldn’t facebeing disappointed again.

I was going to prescribe Chocolatefor her, so was completely relaxed duringthe consultation. Every symptomresonated, for from her story it was clearto me she had been in a Chocolate statealmost her whole life.

Prescription for Chocolate LM1 30ml,ten succussions before each dose oftwo drops in water daily, and continuefolic acid supplements.

Telephone consultation February 2012E: I can taste chocolate when I take thedrops, so I know it’s working. My bowels

are more regular. I feel well. I thoughtof having acupuncture again – is that OK?

Yes!

E:What about the Chinese herbalmedicine?

No!

E: OK! I’ll let you know what happenswith the IVF.

Telephone consultation August 2013 E: I took the Chocolate LM1 drops everyday from January and had the IVF inAugust and this time became pregnant.I’ve phoned to thank you. I had a babygirl born in April and we named her April.I had a four-hour labour after a cervicalsweep. April weighed 6lb 6oz.

Congratulations!

E: I lost a twin at nine weeks ofpregnancy.

I’m so sorry to hear that. Is April well?

E: Yes, April is well. I still have twoembryos in cold storage and I want totry IVF again. Should I take the Chocolatedrops again?

Yes – order a fresh bottle of LM1 andbegin again now, and take dailythrough the whole pregnancy.

Malvaceae themes1

– see table below.

Chocolate themes and keywords includeall the Malvaceae themes in the tablebelow. Specific to chocolate are:• bliss and implantation of the embryo• never let you go bonding• cold empty lonely sterility

The challenges facing a mother in aChocolate state are the separating ritesof passage from a fully dependentnewborn baby to fully independent adult:weaning, motor milestones, school,puberty, leaving home, getting marriedand becoming a parent themselves.

The last word to Elvis Presley:“Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go.You have made mylife complete and I love you so.Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfilled– for my darling I love you, and I always will.”

Dr Raymond Sevar FFHom

Reference1. Plants. Homeopathic & Medicinal Uses froma Botanical Family Perspective. Vermeulen,F & Johnston, L. Vol. 3, pp 411-425, 435-456

Photo: Thom

as Brow

n/Wikim

edia.com

Love Connection Nourishment Fertility Nutritionand bonding

Tenderness and Maternal tender Sustenance Pregnancy Fatwarmth loving care metabolism

Trust Mother and child Food for the Parturition Weightbonding stomach and soul problems

Marriage and Togetherness Warm Miscarriage Issues withchildbirth – chocolate

Togetherness and Harmonious union Sweet Sterility – coffeeharmony

Family ties Soothing Lactation – tea

Too much bonding Comforting – colathwarting growthand independence

Too little bonding Satiety– isolation

Separated

Pushed out

Left out

Rejected

Unwanted byloved ones

Isolation

Abject neglect

21

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The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets. Wehave two unique home-from-home sanctuaries and in excess of 1,000 bereaved pets in lifelongfoster homes around the United Kingdom. Our reputation, built over thirty years, is second to none.

Most of our “CT pets” are elderly and we have pioneered a very high standard of care that is basedon holistic principles.

We are now looking for a veterinary surgeon who embraces holistic principles, qualified inhomoeopathy, herbal remedies, acupuncture etc. Based in West Cornwall, a rent free cottage isavailable as part of the package. This is a new and exciting role at Director level and we are lookingat different options for its implementation.

To play a major part in something special, please contact mefor an informal discussion in the first instance:

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•• events

•• examinations calendar 2014EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE EXAMPHCE 27 June 2014 Bristol 4 April 2014

VETERINARY LICENTIATE EXAMLFHom (Vet) 27 June 2014 Bristol 4 April 2014

MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCEMFHom / MFHom (Nurse) TBA TBA 11 April 2014MFHom / MFHom (Nurse) TBA TBA 19 September 2014

SPECIALIST REGISTRATION – OPEN TO DOCTORS WHO HAVE GAINED THE MFHomAssessment 10 March 2014 Luton 6 January 2014Assessment 17 March 2014 Glasgow 13 January 2014Assessment 10 October 2014 Glasgow 8 August 2014Assessment 16 October 2014 Luton 15 August 2014

VETERINARY MEMBERSHIP EXAMVetMFHom TBA Oxon 31 January 2014

Other exams not currently noted on the calendar will be arranged as required.

Members-only areaValuable new information is now available in the Members’ area of the Faculty website.

n Guidance for promoting your websiten Peer appraisal forms and informationn Congress presentations for reviewnMedia toolkit

To access the Members’ area you will need your user name and password to login – for a login reminder email: info@facultyofhomeopathy.org

What’s on the website www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

•• case studies

23

•• events

•• what’s on

Clinical meeting20 January 2014 at 8:00pm to 9:45pm Speaker: Dr Willa MuirOpen to current LFHom/MFHom coursestudents and/or Faculty of Homeopathymembers.• Venue: Kensington Arms, Redland, Bristol• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Gradually Evolving Mastering Sessions(GEMS)24 January 2014 at 9:15 am to 4:45 pmOpen to RSHOM or MFHom only.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Masterclass: Women’s Health –Gynaecological and Sexual Health inHomeopathy25 January 2014 at 10.00 am to 4:30 pmSpeakers: Dr Helen Beaumont and Dr Willa Muir.Open to all homeopaths and currentLFHom/MFHom course students.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Northern Ireland Homeopathic GroupDate: 12 February 2014 at 7.45pmThe Role of Homeopathy in Podiatry Speaker: Elaine McLaughlin, LFHom (Pod)Open to all Faculty affiliated healthcareprofessionals, regardless of experience.• Venue: Toome House, 55 Main Street,Toomebridge, County Antrim, BT41 3TE

• For more information please contact: Dr Gary Smyth, E-Mail: drgaryjsmyth@gmail.com, Tel: 07712 188165

Clinical meeting17 February 2014 at 8:00pm to 9:45pm Speaker: To be confirmed.Open to current LFHom/MFHom coursestudents and/or Faculty of Homeopathymembers.• Venue: Kensington Arms, Redland, Bristol

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Bach Flowers for HomeopathsDate: 7, 14 and 15 March 2014 at 10.00amto 5.30pm each dayThis 3-day course is approved by the BachCentre and accredited with a certificate.Whether you are a practising homeopathlooking to expand the service you offer yourpatients or a student wanting to support familyand friends safely and effectively, this coursecan add an extra dimension to your practice.Taught by homeopath and Bach practitionerTessa JordanThe course fee is £300 which covers the books,handouts, exercises, use of the remedies, drinksand snacks (but not lunch) and a recognisedcertificate. There is also an early bird discountfor people paying £250 by 31 January. • Venue: Wimbledon, South West London• To reserve your place call 01473 728498,email Tessa on info@tessajordan.co.uk orvisit www.tessajordan.co.uk for more info.

Masterclass: Sensational Sarcodes andNosodes – the Inner Experience ofHealthy or Diseased TissueDate: 8 March 2014 at 10:00am to 4:30pmSpeaker: Geoff JohnsonGeoff will be exploring different families andremedies from all kingdoms whose centralstate may be disconnected.Open to all homeopaths and currentLFHom/MFHom course students. Cost: £65.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Clinical meetingDate: 17 March 2014 at 8:00pm to 9:45pm Speaker: To be confirmed.Open to current LFHom/MFHom coursestudents and/or Faculty of Homeopathymembers.• Venue: Kensington Arms, Redland, Bristol• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Gradually Evolving Mastering Sessions(GEMS)Date: 28 March 2014 at 9:15am to 4:30pmOpen to RSHOM or MFHom only.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Masterclass: Cancer RemediesDate: 25 April 2014 at 10:00am to 4:30pmSpeaker: Dr Elizabeth ThompsonOpen to all homeopaths and currentLFHom/MFHom course students.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Integrative Medicine Day – CancerDate: 26 April 2014 at 9.30am to 4:30pmSpeakers: Dr Elizabeth Thompson and DrCatherine ZollmanOpen to all state registered healthcareprofessionals, homeopaths registered withthe Society of Homeopaths, medical andnursing students.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Gradually Evolving Mastering Sessions(GEMS)Date: 23 May 2014 at 9:15am to 4:30pmOpen to RSHOM or MFHom only.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

Masterclass: Chronic Fatigue SyndromeDate: 14 June 2014 at 10:00am to 4:30pmSpeaker: Dr Julie GeraghtyOpen to all homeopaths and currentLFHom/MFHom course students. Cost £65.Cut off date: 4 June 2014.• Venue: Penny Brohn Centre, Chapel PillLane, Bristol, North Somerset. BS20 0HL

• Contact: Renata Sopiarz Tel: 0117 342 9830or E-mail: renata.sopiarz@uhbristol,nhs.uk

69th Congress of Liga MedicorumHomoeopathic InternationalisEvent Date: 16-19/07/2014Homeopathy on the move: strategies,healing, simillimum, simile.• Venue: Palais des Congres – Paris, France.• For more information visit:www.lmhi2014.org

Regular meetingsW Surrey & W Sussex Homeopathic Group21 Jan, 18 Feb, 18 Mar and 15 April – Event Time: 20:00 until 22:00Members include doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists. The aim of the group is to actas a forum for ongoing learning and support, covering all aspects of homeopathy andmedical practice.The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill, nr Ockley, Surrey RH5 5PU.• Charles Forsyth on 01737 226338 (office), 01737 248605 (home), 07802 293006 (mobile)or charles@dr-forsyth.com

Leeds Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Adel, north Leeds.• Jutta Prekow on 0113 203 7329 or at jutta.prekow@bradford.nhs.uk

Manchester-Liverpool Homeopathic GroupMeetings for discussing homeopathic cases and other matters relevant to homeopathy.Open to doctors, vets, nurses, pharmacists of all levels. Location varies, so contact in advance for details:

• Dr Eftihia Metallidou on 0161 4747301 weekdays 12-4.00pm or email: eftmet@gmail.com

London Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings take place in Wimbledon or in Harley Street.• For further information contact Dr Ralf Schmalhorst at londonralf@aol.com

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