MSP 'appalled' by plan to end homeopathy funding

Published on 17/11/2010 18:10

MIDLOTHIAN Labour MSP Rhona Brankin has hit out at plans by NHS Lothian to withdraw funding from the Lothian Homeopathy Clinic based at Dalkeith Medical Centre.

The clinic, which has run for 16 years, serves patients from Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Borders, as well as Midlothian, but its 70,000-a-year funding will end in January.

Ms Brankin said she was "absolutely appalled" at the move and had been inundated with letters from constituents worried the clinic would close. She said: "I am calling on Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon to ensure that this service is retained.

"NHS patients in the west of Scotland benefit from the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital and yet the only NHS homeopathy service in the south-east of Scotland faces closure.

"There is clear evidence that homeopathy saves the NHS money rather than costing it money and I am going to fight to ensure that the Homeopathy Clinic in Dalkeith remains open."