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Organisation

Introduction

The Society of Homeopaths is the largest organisation registering homeopaths in the UK. The Society was founded in 1978 to forward the development of the profession. Its aim is high quality homeopathic health care for all.

The Society fulfils this aim by:

• Developing and maintaining high standards for the practice of homeopathy
• Developing and maintaining for public use a Register of homeopaths who practise to the standards required by the Society, and abide by the Society's Code of Ethics and Practice
• Protecting the public's freedom to have homeopathic treatment now and in the future
• Promoting public awareness of homeopathy and encourage its responsible use in the home
• Promoting and supporting the establishment of education and training in homeopathy

Over the years the Society has grown to become the largest organisation registering homeopaths in the UK.

Membership
There are various levels of membership from new students through to full registered homeopaths. Our Registered Members (RSHom) complete rigorous training (normally three years full time or four years part time) with one of our recognised course providers. They then undergo a further period of clinical supervision before becoming eligible for our public Register. For full details see the leaflet ‘Registration with the Society’.

For information about The Society download our Success in Practice leaflet.

Support and service for members

For all members

National office and departmental staff are available to answer queries from members and from the public. They provide management and administrative support for Society activities and are the first port of call for enquiries.

Support and services include:

• The Homeopath, the Society's quarterly Journal, contributes to current homeopathic knowledge and development, in the UK and internationally.
• A quarterly Newsletter provides a forum for lively debate and information about issues for practitioners and students.
• A series of information leaflets for practitioners and patients
• The Society electronic intranet FirstClass Mail offers the opportunity for members to share news, ideas, difficult cases etc
• Education - The Education Steering group, comprising staff, Board members, course provider and student representatives makes policy and monitors the process of course provider recognition
• Public Relations - The Society has a high PR profile, supported by an active Communications team
• Support liaison for students through termly meetings with student representatives at recognised colleges, and a published list of homeopaths available as supervisors
• Local groups, holding informal meetings to provide practitioner support and encourage students
• An annual Autumn conference where guest speakers from around the world and members share their experience and ideas, an annual Spring Conference and AGM, and specialist seminars throughout the year
• Establishment of and leading involvement in Homeopathy Awareness Week and the development of materials and contacts for these events
• A Registration Programme, engaging in the creation of a Continuing Professional Development portfolio of reflective work, a helpful way of developing as mature and professional practitioners
• A regional structure to enable all members to partake in the development of homeopathy and the profession
• The Pharmacy group monitors legislation affecting the availability of homeopathic medicines and makes representations to government. It is regularly consulted by the Medicines Control Agency

For practising members

• A specialised and extensive professional and public liability insurance package
• Support and advice from Professional Conduct Department
• Regional Continuing Professional Development groups and events
• A research team provides support and guidelines for those pursuing research as well as developing its own research projects
• Liaison with purchasers/providers in the NHS; a package of information for work with the NHS and training for such work
• Regular contact and liaison with government and non government bodies concerned with health provision

For the public

It is essential that the public feel secure when consulting a homeopath. The Society publishes a Register of homeopaths with proven ability who have satisfied stringent registration criteria set out in the Society's Registration Standards and Procedures. These practitioners have agreed to abide by the Society's Code of Ethics and Practice, and are subject to complaints and disciplinary procedures.

• The Society web site www.homeopathy-soh.org provides a listing of Registered homeopaths in the UK, general information about homeopathy, copies of Society leaflets, and recent news
• The Communications Department provides speakers and articles about homeopathy in the media, to inform the public about what is available
• The Society liaises with the NHS, charitable organisations and other non government and government bodies to develop greater opportunities for the public to obtain homeopathic treatment
• A Code of Ethics and Practice is published by the Society, to which all members adhere. A professional conduct department is available to help resolve any complaints or disputes which patients may bring, thus assuring their safety when receiving homeopathic treatment, and providing redress if things go wrong
• All practising members are covered by mandatory professional and public liability insurance. This provides a safeguard for patients and practitioners alike

Structure of the Society

Society policy is agreed by its eight directors, elected by members, and in consultation with membership. Its operational work is accomplished by a staff team led by the Chief Executive in liaison with Board Sub Committees.

Organisation structure

Future developments

The Society

• is involved with the Council of Organisation Registering Homeopaths (CORH) to develop a single register of homeopaths and accredited system of education, en route to voluntary regulation. This would increase the possibilities for making homeopathy more widely available to the public
• is also involved in innovative projects providing greater awareness of homeopathy and thus increasing its availability, recognition and funding
• liaises and meets with the major organisations representing Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• works in the area of Social Health, providing more gateways for patient care
  

The Society is an active founding member of:

• Council of Organisations Registering Homeopaths (CORH)
• The European Council for Classical Homeopathy (ECCH)

Representatives of the Society participate in the work of:

• The Parliamentary Group for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare
• Foundation for Integrated Healthcare

The Society is in liaison with national and regional organisations concerned with all aspects of health, such as The Department of Health, Private Medical Insurance Companies and The Medicines Control Agency.

For more information contact

The Society of Homeopaths,
11 Brookfield, Duncan Close, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6WL

Tel Fax	0845 450 6611 0845 450 6622
Email