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Aims and vision

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) exists to regulate the profession, to promote public safety, to ensure that patients receive the highest standards of osteopathic care and to promote an understanding of osteopathic practice.

We are committed to working with osteopaths and the public to ensure that the whole regulatory system is transparent and ‘fit for purpose’.

Patient and public involvement

A major priority for us is to listen and learn from osteopathic patients to better understand the patient perspective on: osteopathic education, standards, practice and regulation. We want to work in partnership with patients and osteopaths to make sure that we put patients at the heart of what we do, and to do everything we can to maximise the opportunities patients have to share their views with us and with the profession. 

Standards and best practice

We set the criteria of best practice and conduct within the profession, by defining and continually working to improve the standards of osteopathic education, practice and research. The GOsC is the body that patients may turn to if they have concerns or complaints about osteopathic care.

Healthcare reform

As part of the healthcare regulation reforms required by the Government, we introduced a new governance structure in April 2009. The new General Council, which is wholly appointed, comprises osteopaths and lay people (non-osteopaths) in equal numbers. This helps to ensure that the interests of patients, and the wider public, are at the forefront of the regulation of osteopathy.

For more about our aims and vision, see Strategic & business plans.

Feedback

We welcome comments and feedback about this website and the information on it. If you have any comments or if you have not been able to find the information you want in this section or on the website as a whole, please contact us by using the form on the Contact us page or by emailing info@osteopathy.org.uk.