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How is Osteopathy organised and regulated?
General osteopathic council
Like many professions, until 1998, Osteopaths had worked within a system of voluntary regulation that set standards of training and practice.
In 1993, under the Osteopaths Act, Osteopathy became the first complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition. The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has been set up, which opened it statutory register of osteopaths in May 1998.
The GOsC is now responsible for regulating the osteopathic profession in the UK and also for promoting and developing osteopathy. It has been given powers by Parliament to set standards of education and conduct and to maintain a register of those entitled to practice osteopathy.
The Council has 24 members. Twelve members are osteopaths, eight are lay members, there are educationalists (appointed at present by the Privy Council) and one member is appointed directly by the Secretary of State.
Education and training osteopathsThe GOsC has a legal duty to determine the Standard of Proficiency required for the competent and safe practice of Osteopathy and ensure that qualifications awarded by any educational institution in osteopathy reach that standard. From time to time the Standard will be reviewed, and may be varied, as the profession develops.
The RegisterThe GOsC has appointed a Registrar who has the responsibility for creating and maintaining a register of those entitled to practise osteopathy. From May 2000 only entered on this register are entitled to call themselves osteopaths. The first statutory register was published in April 1999 (and thereafter has been published annually. A search able listing of Registered Osteopaths is available on the GOsC’s internet site: www.osteopathy.org.uk Members of the public can also obtain up-to-date details of an osteopath’s registration or general information on osteopaths practising in a particular location by telephoning the Osteopathic Information Service on: 020 7357 6655From May 2000 entry to the register was only achieved by obtaining a qualification in osteopathy recognised by the GOsC (and satisfying the Registrar as to good health and character). At all times, Registered Osteopaths must follow high standards of professional conduct and are committed to a programme of continuing professional development. (LPD) standard of Conduct for osteopaths are set in the Code of Practice ‘Pursuing excellence’.
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