Standards of Osteopathic Training & Practice

New Code of Practice for osteopaths launched A new Code of Practice (the Code) outlining the standards of conduct and practice expected of osteopaths has been developed as part of the GOsC’s new Fitness to Practise guidance. The new Code, which became effective from 9 May 2005, replaces the Code of Practice – Pursuing Excellence, which was first published in June 1998 and updated in 2002.

The Code was revised by the Council’s Practice and Ethics Committee to reflect the changes that have taken place within healthcare regulation and standards, changes in law relevant to osteopathy, and the need for more comprehensive guidance in certain areas of practice.

Supplementary guidance

Accompanying the Code are two leaflets – Obtaining consent and Visual and audio recordings of patients. Forms for obtaining patient consent to treatment and to make/use/keep visual & audio recordings of patients are also available.

These documents provide further in-depth guidance for osteopaths to meet and work above the standards set in the Code, and are supplied together to form a Fitness to Practise folder.

Standard 2000 (S2K)

The 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. view

The GOsC has a legal obligation to review and monitor the standards of training in institutions offering pre-registration osteopathic qualifications. All training courses which meet the required standards are awarded a Recognised Qualification (RQ) by the GOsC. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) manage the RQ review and monitoring process on behalf of the GOsC. This process has been a collaborative development between the GOsC and the QAA. Further details of the review method may be found on the QAA website: www.qaa.ac.uk/health/GOsC/default.asp