NHS chief slams ‘chancers’ for pushing ‘bogus’ homeopathic treatments following fall in childhood vaccination rates

THE head of the NHS has slammed “chancers” for pushing “bogus” homeopathic treatments and vaccines on Brits.

Simon Stevens fears that patients are being put at risk by “miracle cures” that at best do nothing to help them and at worst can be ­dangerous.

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He also blamed supporters of homeopathy for scare ­stories putting off people getting their kids life-saving jabs.

His warning follows an “alarming” fall in childhood vaccination rates.

Last week Mr Stevens wrote to health regulator the Professional Standards Authority asking it to strip the Society of Homeopaths of accreditation.

Practitioners on the PSA’s register are deemed “competent and trustworthy”.

But Mr Stevens said treatments are a waste of money and are “placebo at best”.

He said: “Homeopathy is no replacement for rigorously tried and tested medical treatments.”

Uptake of all 13 key childhood vaccinations fell for the first time this year.

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The NHS has proposed giving GPs extra cash for the measles, mumps and rubella jabs to help reverse the drop.

The society, which represents 1,200 homeopaths, said: “The society does not endorse any aspects of any therapy contrary to NHS guidance, in particular on vaccination.”