Evolution of IHA
HT (Homeopathy Training) formerly HCPF (Homeopathy Course Providers Forum) was established in 2006 It is the voice of homeopathy training and education in the UK.
Although the Homeopathy Course Providers Forum began meeting in 2006, the seed-impetus for the Forum had been sown eleven years earlier in 1995. Prior to the formation of HCPF, the Society of Homeopaths Education Director and the course providers met regularly. As time passed more and more colleges formed, so it was agreed that it would be better to carry on with independent meetings.
There was a hiatus when very few course providers attended infrequent meetings. Fred Cole of HMA (Homeopathic Medical Association) became concerned that there was no effective input from the colleges into JMORPH (Joint Meeting of Organisations Registering Professional Homeopaths). The predecessor to the CORH (Council of Organisations Registering Homeopaths).
Cole spent the year between 1999 and 2000 developing the organisation, for it to be represented on the CORH Council.
The primary aim of CHC was “To be a voice for homeopathic education, to ensure the growth and freedom of homeopathy in all its diversity”. Originally membership consisted of 17 colleges who met regularly. Discussions centred on education issues including professional regulation issues and topics common to the colleges. Particular attention was paid to discovering common ground between often very diverse course provision and to understanding the principles involved in different regulation systems and their effects. This helped to clarify appropriate techniques for improving clinical education and providing guidance to the CHC representatives to CORH Council and the CORH working groups, especially the Accreditation.
Membership in CHC was open to all homeopathic course providers, whether they chose to engage in the formal recognition process the Society of Homeopaths.
Steps in the formation
of the Homeopathic Course Providers Forum
Meanwhile, as the deliberations of CORH Council and its working groups progressed the primary agenda at CHC meetings became:
1) Reports from the Council and Working Group representatives
2) The preparation of papers, considerations, and proposals to present in return.
By early 2005 a concrete outline for the accreditation process began to emerge. At this point CHC proposed an organisational structure to facilitate that process that included an independent course providers Forum. By being independent the Forum would:
1) Be in a position to clearly represent the interest of course providers
2) Provide representatives to the, soon to be founded, Accreditation Steering Group,
3) Be a partner in the evolution of the accreditation process.
The Accreditation Working Group (AWG) accepted the CHC proposal for establishment of a course providers forum and initiated action to achieve it. As 2006 progressed AWG sponsored the initial meetings and facilitated the organisation of the Homeopathy Course Providers Forum (HCPF). Following the formal establishment of HCPF, the Council for Homeopathic Colleges, ceased to be an active organisation, its mission having been accomplished.
The HCPF, (HT) now self-financed and independently operating began to meet regularly to discuss and debate issues regarding accreditation, provide nominees for accreditation peer review, panels, and hear reports from its representatives on CORH Council and its Working Groups.
In May of 2007 just as preparation was being made by the AWG (Accreditation Steering Group) to engage in two pilot accreditations and send peer review teams out to the volunteering course providers, CORH Council suspended its operation due to financial shortfall. The HCPF immediately stepped in and provided a significant share of the funding needed to carry out the pilot visits thus supporting the momentum of setting up a robust academic accreditation system.
Meanwhile the routine issues of developing an effective organisational infrastructure and procedural format relevant to the needs and purpose of the Forum continued, including the establishment of its website.
Relationship to the professional registers
Although the Forum was established to serve the interests and needs of the homeopathic colleges and course providers, it has found that a very effective way of liaising with the professional homeopathic registers is to invite them to send representatives to its regular meetings. In this way ongoing communication has been enhanced and provides essential input and feedback in areas of shared concern.
Educational standards
Following the demise of CORH its accreditation working group carried on as the HAB (Homeopathy Accreditation Board) completing the publication of the Accreditation Handbook. This handbook then became the accepted standard for evaluation of course provision by members of HCPF as well as the professional registers.
2010 the QAVS (Quality Assurance Validation Scheme) was formally established as a subsidiary of HCPF for the purpose of ensuring and improving the standards and quality of education in the participating colleges and courses. Although policy direction was established in conjunction with HCPF, the QAVS functioned independently in procedural matters concerning the process of administration of the accreditation process.
Presentations at Forum meetings
Speakers and specialists are also invited to make presentations at Forum meetings regarding topics of interest and relevance to course providers. Such topics include, insurance, governmental agency consultations that involve the practice of homeopathy, and other issues that emerge from time to time.
Discussion topics
Working parties are established to research and report to the Forum as a whole regarding topics such as: statutory vs. common law based regulation; the fundamental principles of homeopathy; the distinction between the terms ‘recognition’, ‘accreditation’, and ‘validation’.
In October 2023 it was decided that the two systems in place QAVS and the Society of Homeopaths Accreditation scheme should merge, forming a totally independent and robust, homeopathy education focused scheme . The Institute of Homeopathy Accrediation (IHA), was established. All college that were already in the two schemes were grandfathered into the new scheme. This gives students a clear understanding of which colleges have attained the high standard that is expected from IHA.
Selected Bibliography
British Homoeopathic Journal, A Motivational and Sociological Analysis of Homoeopathic Physicians in the USA and UK, Vol LI No 4 Oct 1962.
CHC Information Pamphlet: Ensuring Choice for Homeopathy, 2000.
CHC presentation at Society of Homeopaths Conference, 2000.
Minutes from CHC meetings 2001-2006.
Minutes from AWG meetings 2001-2007.
Minutes from HAB (Homeopathy Accreditation Board) meetings 2007-2009.
Minutes from HCPF & QAVS meetings 2006-2014.
Notes from Jerome Whitney.