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Myth Buster

How much do you know about the role of your regulator?

Findings of independent research to explore registrant and student perceptions of the GOsC have shown us there is a lot of misunderstanding about what the GOsC does and doesn’t do as the regulator for osteopathy in the UK. Below we address some of the common misunderstandings about the GOsC to help increase clarity about our role among the profession.

  Cross myth buster MYTH: Some osteopaths think that GOsC lobbies the government on behalf of the osteopathic profession
Tick myth buster This isn’t true. We don’t do this as we are only allowed to do what is specifically set out in the Osteopaths Act, and this doesn’t include lobbying government. Lobbying for the profession is a role carried out by a membership body. The Institute of Osteopathy (iO) is the membership body for osteopathy. Some professions have a larger number of membership bodies but within osteopathy it’s just the iO. Find out more about the iO
 Cross myth buster MYTH: Some osteopaths think that GOsC promotes osteopathy and educates the public on the benefits of osteopathy
 Tick myth buster

In fact we are not allowed to do this. We are only allowed to do what is specifically set out in the Osteopaths Act. This sort of promotion was removed from the Act in 2008 and is now carried out by a membership body, so within osteopathy this is the Institute of Osteopathy (iO). The iO works hard to promote osteopathy. A core part of what we do as the regulator as well as protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of the public is to set standards for osteopathic education and training, and promote high standards of practice. This provides confidence to patients that osteopaths are qualified, regulated healthcare practitioners, working to high standards of practice and conduct. Find out more
 Cross myth buster MYTH: Some osteopaths think that the GOsC are trying to catch osteopaths out just so they can start fitness to practise procedures
 Tick myth buster

Not true at all! Concerns usually get raised by members of the public, including patients; other osteopaths; employers of osteopaths; students of osteopathy and other health professionals. Many osteopaths are surprised to know that only about 25 concerns about osteopaths go through to the Investigating Committee to consider each year, and only about half of these go all the way to the Professional Conduct Committee. Find out more
 Cross myth buster MYTH: Some osteopaths think that if a concern is raised about them, they won’t be able to work until the lengthy process of a fitness to practise case is completed
 Tick myth buster

Not true! It is only in cases involving very significant sexual boundary issues, police charges for a serious offence or situations when patient care falls to low standards that an osteopath might be stopped from practising until the case is completed. This is called an interim suspension order (ISO). It’s only the Investigating Committee that can make a decision to impose an interim suspension order, it’s not a decision that GOsC staff or screeners can make. You're not stopped from practising unless you have an ISO, and it’s rare that these are needed. Find out more
 Cross myth buster MYTH: Some osteopaths think that there’s no support available if a concern is raised against them
 Tick myth buster

Not true – we know that going through a fitness to practise process can be a daunting and uncertain time. This is why we work with a charity who provide a totally anonymous Independent Support Service. This is completely separate from the GOsC and offers a confidential safe space for people to discuss their feelings about the fitness to practise process they are going through. It also gives them another opportunity to talk through what might be expected of them at each stage. The helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Find out more
 Cross myth buster

MYTH: Some osteopaths think it’s because they’re registered with the GOsC that they’re not allowed to prescribe, and they think this also limits their ability to administer medicines under a patient group direction
 Tick myth buster

This isn’t true! In reality it’s about which profession you belong to and not which regulator you are registered with. The government decides which professions are given the right to prescribe and the right to administer medicines under a patient group direction (PGD). A PGD allows some registered health professionals to supply and/or administer certain medicines to a pre-defined group of patients, without them having to see a prescriber.

Prescribing and administering rights are given and updated by the government through amendments to Medicines legislation including the Medicines Act 1968, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. Find out more