PCT Survey 2:

Pilot Study of the Provision of Homeopathy by PCTs

Results for those PCTs not providing homeopathy

Question 1: What criteria are used by the Board and any relevant advisory committees or individuals to assess homeopathic treatment when deciding not to provide the option of this treatment?

Of the 21 PCTs which stated that they do not provide homeopathy:

8 PCTs (38.1%) provided no information about these criteria

Otherwise various criteria were involved (some PCTs taking more than one factor into account):

13 PCTs (61.9%) took evidence of clinical effectiveness into account5 PCTs (23.8%) took cost effectiveness into account1 PCT (4.8%) took safety into account 4 PCTs (19.0%) took the position that homeopathy was a “low priority” treatment.3 PCTs (14.3%) only allowed treatment by members of statutorily regulated bodies1 PCT (4.8%) only allowed treatment by NHS professionals1 PCT (4.8%) maintained that there was no demand for homeopathic treatment 11 PCTs (52.4%) took advice from other bodies, including7 PCTs (33.3%) from NICE2 PCTs (9.5%) from DoH 2 PCTs (9.5%) from sub-committees of the PCT Board4 PCTs (19.0%) from other NHS committees1 PCT (4.8%) maintained that “There is a substantial professional consensus that homeopathy is ineffective”

Question 3: What is the total number of members of the Board and of those advisory committees and individuals?

Of the 21 PCTs which have decided not to provide homeopathy:

13 PCTs (61.9%) provided no information about committee numbers8 PCTs (38.1%) provided information about PCT Board numbers4 PCTs (19.0%) provided information about PCT Board sub-committee numbers1 PCT (4.8%) provided information about other NHS committee numbers.