Homeopaths’ society may lose official status
Watchdog reviews body’s accreditation after its head of standards spread ‘antivaxx’ propaganda online
THE Society of Homeopaths’ official accreditation is under threat, after its head of standards was accused of promoting anti-vaccine propaganda. The Professional Standards Authority, which regulates health professionals, has launched an emergency review of the body’s status after an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph.
Social media accounts linked to the homoeopathy practice operated by Sue Pilkington, a former NHS GP practice manager, have been posting “antivaxx” material over Facebook and Twitter. Last month, she was unveiled as the SoH’s new safeguarding lead. In a now-deleted interview on the SoH website, she revealed that her role was to “liaise” with the PSA on government accreditation steps. The PSA renewed SoH’s accreditation in February but with strict conditions.
One stipulates registrants must not, in a personal or professional capacity, “provide advice on vaccination or offer or provide homoeopathy as an alternative to vaccination for the prevention of serious infectious diseases”.
But material published on Ms Pilkington’s accounts, all prior to her SoH appointment, may have breached PSAstipulated social media rules. On April 14, she reposted anti-vaxx content made by the Children’s Health Defense, an organisation accused by NBC News last year as being one of the largest global creators of spreading misinformation. The page said any new vaccine could trigger “lethal” reactions.
On Facebook, Ms Pilkington reshared a post that describes vaccines as “poison” – alongside medical advice declaring that no child should be vaccinated if any member of their family has a skin disorder. She also tried to share a video with Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, of an American comedian who claims that it is “realistic” for vaccines to cause autism. The PSA confirmed that an in-year review of the SoH had been initiated, and this was undertaken “when information is raised that requires investigation”.
The Sunday Telegraph understands that the Good Thinking Society, the charity that instigated proceedings, is considering the legal implications of decisions pending by the PSA.
“The PSA has a simple choice to make: remove the SoH and their uninformed vaccination paranoia from the register, or continue to allow homeopaths to make these dangerous claims with the tacit approval of the PSA,” said Michael Marshall, project director of the GTS.
Last year NHS chiefs tried to have the SoH blacklisted over fears of antivaxx propaganda, with chief executive Sir Simon Stevens warning it “gives homoeopathy a veneer of credibility”.
A government health spokesman said: “Vaccine misinformation in any form – book, film, website or otherwise – is completely unacceptable.”
Ms Pilkington said: “I am working with the Society regarding this complaint, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment.”