GENERAL OSTEOPATHIC COUNCIL
- 176 TOWER BRIDGE ROAD
SE1 3LU LONDON
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7357 6655
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7357 0011
E-mail: Send messagewww.osteopathy.org.uk
Short profile:
The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) regulates the practice of osteopathy in the United Kingdom. By law osteopaths must be registered with the GOsC in order to practise in the UK. The GOsC keeps the Register of all those permitted to practise osteopathy in the UK.
We work with the public and osteopathic profession to promote patient safety by registering qualified professionals and we set, maintain and develop standards of osteopathic practice and conduct. We help patients with any concerns or complaints about an osteopath and have the power to remove from the Register any osteopaths who are unfit to practise.
We also assure the quality of osteopathic education and ensure that osteopaths undertake continuing professional development.
Detailed description:
The Council focuses on strategic development and major policy issues. Our committees concentrate on implementing these policies. The Council is supported by a staff headed by the Chief Executive and Registrar Tim Walker. He is accountable to the Council for ensuring that our staff implement Council policies. The recruitment and appointment of the 14 Council members is carried out for the GOsC by the Appointments Commission, an independent organisation which answers to the Secretary of State.
At least one member is appointed from each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Applicants are assessed against agreed competences and criteria developed by the GOsC Governance Working Group and approved by representatives of the British Osteopathic Association, osteopathic educational institutions and regional osteopathic societies. All Council members are expected to observe the Seven Principles of Public Life as set out by the Nolan Committee: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. It is essential that the General Osteopathic Council commands the confidence of the public, the profession and other stakeholders.
To this end, the Council, as its governing body, must adopt and comply with appropriate standards of conduct. Council members, and anyone else acting on behalf of the GOsC who is not a member of staff, are expected to sign and observe a Code of Conduct, and any procedures for its enforcement. Its purpose is to provide them with guidance on carrying out the GOsC’s statutory functions in line with currently accepted standards of public service.
Keywords:
osteopathy, members, COUNCIL, osteopaths, GOsC, osteopathic medicine, OSTEOPATHIC COUNCIL