Ten Questions To Ask

1. What qualifications do you have?
   If a homeopath is registered with an organisation then you can be reassured that they have been trained to a high standard, are fully qualified and are insured to treat patients. Each register has its own qualifications and homeopaths use the letters after their name to denote achievement. To find out more about qualifications and the registering bodies, please visit The Registers pages.
   
   
2. How much do you charge?
   Most homeopaths have fixed charges in the same way an acupuncturist or chiropractor does. Prices range from £30 to £125 per session and the initial consultation normally costs more because it is longer. Homeopathy is available on the NHS for free but it is not always easy to get a referral and availability depends on funding available in the area you live and whether your GP is sympathetic to homeopathy.
   
   
3. What experience do you have treating my condition?
   If the homeopath has treated many patients with your condition and has had success they should be able to cite examples. However, homeopathy looks at you as a whole person and addresses your own body’s ability to heal.
   
4. Do you accept private health insurance?
   Some homeopaths are approved providers of homeopathy through private insurance schemes such as Bupa. You will need to ask the homeopath if they are registered with your insurer.
   
   
5. How do you work and what should I expect from this consultation?
   Each homeopath will have different operational hours, set appointments, style of service. At the outset you should feel comfortable in how the homeopath interacts with you, and manages and prioritises you as a patient. You should understand clearly what the homeopath will be doing during the consultation, how they will be charging you, what the homeopath will be doing after your appointment, when your next appointment is scheduled, if they will call you, etc. For both parties it is best to be very clear and comfortable with arrangements.
   
   
6. Will you write to my GP?
   You will need to give your consent for your homeopath to write to your GP and keep them updated on your treatment. It is a good idea to keep your GP in the picture and if your treatment is successful they may be persuaded to refer patients for homeopathy or even find out more about it for themselves.
   
   
7. Should I stop taking my other medications and will homeopathy interfere with any of my current medications?
   You should never stop any conventional medication that has been prescribed by a doctor without consulting them first. Homeopathy can be taken alongside and in complement to any conventional medication and there are no known interactions. Homeopathy is free of side effects and can even help with the side effects of conventional medication.
   
   
8. What have you prescribed?
   The homeopath should tell you what homeopathic remedy they have prescribed.
   
   
9. What will happen after I take the homeopathic medicine?
   The homeopath should clearly state in general terms the improvement he/she would expect to see over a few weeks. It is best to be clear about expectations and improvements, so that during the follow-up consultation, the homeopath can know what best to prescribe to maintain or improve your health.
   
   
10. How do I contact you in emergency?
    Sometimes with a homeopathic prescription, symptoms can flare up but will settle again, however if you are having difficulties you need to know how or who to contact outside office hours. Ask the homeopath about this at your first consultation.