NHS spent ‘£1.5million’ on ‘quack’ therapies such as reiki and foot massages last year --[Reported by Umva mag]

NHS hospitals spent a fortune on “quack” therapies such as reiki and foot massages last year.

Figures from 20 trusts show they forked out for questionable treatments for more than 3,000 patients.

Getty

Treatments also including acupuncture and aromatherapy cost a total of £269,000.

If the figure is applied across all 120-plus trusts the true cost could be well over £1.5million.

The NHS says it will not pay for alternative treatments in most cases.

Evidence they work is hit and miss.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals spent the most, at £170,000.

The Government has warned the NHS to tighten its belt.

The Taxpayers’ Alliance, which did the analysis, said: “With long waiting lists, quack remedies cannot be allowed to divert precious resources.”

Alternative medicine expert Dr Edzard Ernst said: “The NHS often uses complementary medicine rarely based on good evidence but on lobbying of proponents of quackery.”

The NHS said treatments are based “on robust clinical evidence” and are value for money.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.