Making a complaint

If you decide you want to make a formal complaint against an osteopath, we will need as much information as possible about your allegations.  You can discuss this over the phone (see below) but we will also need your complaint in writing. You can download our Complaints Form, or we can post or email one to you. 

Complete the form with as much detail as possible and send it to us, along with any supporting papers or documents.  We may also need to take a statement from you and we will contact you to discuss this when we receive your completed form.

We have a legal responsibility to look at complaints if:

• an osteopath’s behaviour falls below the standards set out in our Code of Practice
• an osteopath is guilty of professional incompetence because their work fails to meet the standards we set in our Standard of Proficiency
• an osteopath is convicted of a crime – if this happens, we will look at the conviction to decide whether it affects the osteopath’s ability to practise
• an osteopath’s physical or mental condition is seriously affecting their work – if an osteopath has a health problem, we will consider how it affects their ability to practise.

You should contact us immediately if you have a complaint about an osteopath that involves any of the following:

• acting in a dishonest, indecent or violent way
• working under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• having a personal relationship with a patient
• examining or treating a patient without their consent
• incompetence (when an osteopath’s work fails to meet the standards we set in our Standard of Proficiency.

For further information see our leaflet Making a Complaint.

To discuss any concerns or complaints you may have about your osteopath or your osteopathic treatment, you can telephone us on 020 7357 6655 (+44 20 7357 6655 from outside the UK) ext. 224 during office hours, or email us at regulation@osteopathy.org.uk.   We are closed at weekends and on Bank Holidays.