Is betterhealth.vic.gov.au Safe?

Penelope Dingle was 45 years old when she died of colorectal cancer on the 25th of August, 2005. Had her cancer been detected and treated when symptoms were first observed 4 years earlier, she may still be alive today. Instead of seeking medical treatment, Penelope put her health into the incompetent hands of a deluded Homeopathic quack. At the conclusion of the inquest into the sad death of Penelope Dingle, the W.A. State Coroner made two recommendations. I draw your attention to the first, which reads; “I recommend that the Commonwealth and State Departments of Health review the legislative framework relating to complimentary (sic) and alternative medicine practitioners and practices with a view to ensuring that there are no mixed messages provided to vulnerable patients and that science based medicine and alternative medicine are treated differently.” We don’t have to look very far for an example of a State Department of Health sending mixed messages about ‘complimentary and alternative medicine’. The Victorian State Governments Department of Health provides an internet based information service, called the ‘Better Health Channel’. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ The ‘Better Health Channel’ provides downloadable PDF ‘Fact Sheets’ not only relating to medical treatments but also pertaining to the following ‘complementary and alternative health practices’; Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Aromatherapy, Ayurveda, Bowen Therapy, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Kinesiology, Massage, Meditation, Myotherapy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Reiki, Tai Chi and Yoga. The ‘Better Heath Channel’ makes no clear distinction between evidence based medicine and sham medicine. In the list of Tests and Treatments, Aromatherapy appears between Appendicectomy and Arthroscopy. The wording of the disclaimers is identical and directives to ‘Please seek advice from a qualified health care professional’ could be interpreted equally as referring to an aroma therapist or a medical doctor. By speculating on unproven health treatments and elevating sham medicine to the same level as evidence based medicine, the Victorian Government is culpably negligent in its obligations to the health consumer. This attitude is encouraging of a credulous public, leaving health consumers open to abuse by the many charlatans who are only too willing to make easy money by offering false hope to the desperately sick and vulnerable.