HSE urges public caution over banned health promoter Barbara O’Neill
- Public health authorities in Ireland are urging the public to carefully examine the origins of health information after medical experts warned against speaking appearances by a controversial alternative...
- Although she presents herself as a naturopath and nutritionist, Ms O'Neill faces a permanent prohibition against offering any health services within New South Wales.
- The commission's findings noted that Ms O'Neill "does not recognise that she is misleading vulnerable people (including mothers and cancer sufferers) by providing very selective information".
Public health authorities in Ireland are urging the public to carefully examine the origins of health information after medical experts warned against speaking appearances by a controversial alternative health promoter. Australian alternative health promoter Barbara O’Neill is hosting and speaking at scheduled events in Ireland.
Ban on Australian Health Promoter
Although she presents herself as a naturopath and nutritionist, Ms O’Neill faces a permanent prohibition against offering any health services within New South Wales. An inquiry conducted by the Health Care Complaints Commission of that Australian state revealed that she advised patients that cancer constitutes a fungus curable via baking soda, alongside urging them to forgo chemotherapy.
The commission’s findings noted that Ms O’Neill “does not recognise that she is misleading vulnerable people (including mothers and cancer sufferers) by providing very selective information”. In response to her scheduled Irish events, a group of Irish, Australian, and UK medical experts signed a warning letter sent to venues.
This person has told cancer patients to avoid chemotherapy, and that is among the reasons she has been banned for life from giving health advice in New South Wales. I am appalled that she is able to speak to audiences on this island. She has claimed that cancer is a fungus that can be treated with bicarbonate of soda, which has absolutely no basis in scientific fact. These messages are irresponsible and dangerous, and delaying treatment will put patients at risk.
Professor Mark Lawler
The controversy has drawn attention to how nutritional titles are regulated in Ireland. Jennifer Feighan, CEO of the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute, stated that “more and more self- proclaimed or alternative ‘nutrition practitioners’ are emerging from informal courses”.
Because Irish law does not restrict the term “nutritionist,” individuals possessing varying degrees of education and expertise are free to adopt it. While qualified public health nutritionists work across research, policy, and education, the public often struggles to verify the credibility of health advice.
Experts recommend checking credentials closely before accepting dietary guidance. Ideally, a nutritionist ought to possess a bachelor’s degree with honours (BSc Hons) or a master’s degree (MSc) in nutritional science derived from an accredited, evidence-based academic curriculum, alongside registration with the Association for Nutrition (AfN), the organization overseeing the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN).
Building Critical Thinking Skills
Health researchers emphasize the importance of scrutinizing health claims circulating online and at public events. Dr Paula Byrne, senior research fellow/evidence synthesis methodologist, Centre for Health Research Methodology, University of Galway, advised audiences to demand evidence for any claim.
My advice is simple: ask for the evidence behind any health claim you hear and take the time to build your critical thinking skills. Excellent free resources can help, such as Informed Health Choices and Sense About Science’s ‘Ask for Evidence’.
Dr Paula Byrne
Health Service Executive Safety Warnings
The Health Service Executive issued a statement emphasizing that public safety remains its top priority and warning individuals to evaluate information sources carefully. The agency stressed that checking claims against reliable sources helps patients determine if they can trust specific advice, an precaution that is particularly vital for cancer patients.
Public safety is our top priority to the HSE. It is crucial to question where information has come from. Take your time to check it out against reliable sources of information. This will help you decide if you can trust the advice. This advice is especially important for patients with cancer.
HSE
The HSE works to enhance media literacy by making its content accessible and easy to understand by all age groups; it proactively shares accurate information through its social channels and elsewhere, and has health experts available for media interviews and to fact-check its content. Individuals seeking verified information can consult HSE.ie or speak directly with a health professional regarding any health concerns.