Birmingham bowel patients offered spiritual healing

NHS patients at a Birmingham hospital are being offered spiritual healing as part of a research scheme.

The Healing Trust said it was treating Good Hope Hospital patients who were still suffering after completing conventional treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

It says healing energy is channelled by the healer around the patient's body during 20-minute sessions.

Birmingham University was given a £205,000 grant to study its effects.

'Healing works'

The Healing Trust said spiritual healing was a natural energy therapy that complements conventional medicine by treating the whole person - mind, body and spirit.

Veronica Bowden, general manager of the trust, said the sessions were taking place as part of a controlled two-year trial.

She said Birmingham researchers aimed to see whether patients who were still suffering after conventional treatment for IBS could be given further improvement.

"We are thrilled that our healing is being researched by such a prestigious university," she said.

"Although we have countless testimonials that healing works, additional research will help healing to become more widely available within the NHS."

The lottery grant was awarded to the university and charity Freshwinds who will work together on the project, the Healing Trust said.