The Good Thinking Society, a UK charity that sets out to promote “rational scepticism”, is to challenge in court a decision by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) to award accreditation to the Society of Homeopaths.
The main substance of Good Thinking’s judicial review claim concerns a treatment known as CEASE (Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression) Therapy. The treatment, which proponents say removes the ‘toxic imprints from vaccines and drugs, is posited as cure for autism – based on the widely discredited theory that it can be caused by vaccinations.
The PSA renewed the Society of Homeopaths’ accreditation earlier this year, despite the fact that some of its members – Good Thinking suggests the number runs to “dozens” – are known to practice CEASE therapy, something that the Society acknowledges on its website.
In its application for judicial review, Good Thinking argued that the “effect of PSA accreditation is to sanction treatments performed by members of the accredited organisation, such as the Society of Homeopaths, and that the PSA must carefully consider whether such treatments are harmful as part of its deliberations”.
Michael Marshall, project director of Good Thinking, said: “Being part of the PSA’s Accredited Voluntary Register scheme is clearly a boon to the Society of Homeopaths and its members – this is apparent from how prominently homeopaths, including those who practice the anti-vaccination ‘CEASE’ therapy, display the PSA’s logo on their websites and marketing materials. Accreditation by the PSA is used as a signifier that those homeopaths are competent, trustworthy and safe, but that accreditation can only carry any meaning if the PSA takes seriously their duty to protect the public from harmful practices.
“We are pleased that the Judge granted permission to go to a full hearing of the issues, and we look forward to having the opportunity to argue in court why the PSA’s decision was not only erroneous, but that it puts autistic children and other vulnerable members of the public in harm’s way”.
No one was available for comment from the Society of Homeopaths when NPG contacted the group.