As the independent statutory regulator for osteopathy our role and purpose is to protect the public but there are also benefits and added value of being registered for you as an osteopath.

All osteopaths in the UK are required by law to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Registration means that you are:

• a regulated health professional
• trained and qualified
• required to keep your knowledge and skills up to date
• required to have professional indemnity insurance
• welcoming of any feedback on the care provided and operate a complaints procedure.

Through regulation, you can be confident that only graduates who have met the standards we have set throughout their training are allowed to join the Register and enter the profession

This is because we set and maintain standards for osteopathic education and training. We also work together with osteopathic education providers to ensure they deliver high quality education and training, and safe, good quality osteopathic care for patients.

We maintain public confidence in your profession by making sure only those who are fit to practise can offer osteopathy legally in the UK

While concerns about osteopaths remain low, with less than a 2% chance of a concern being raised from a patient, on the rare occasion when things go wrong for patients, or they have concerns about an osteopath’s conduct, they can contact the GOsC knowing that it is our role to investigate their concerns and make sure the osteopath is fit to practise. This means we keep patients safe by making sure only osteopaths who provide safe, high-quality care are legally allowed to practise in the UK.

We protect your professional osteopathic title

We can take action when someone who is not on the GOsC Register uses the title ‘osteopath’ this is because it is protected by law. We can, and do, prosecute individuals who practise as osteopaths when they are not on the GOsC Register.

Patients are clear about what to expect and can feel confident when seeking healthcare treatment from you

By following our standards of conduct and ethics, the Osteopathic Practice Standards, you are able to demonstrate to the public that you meet the highest professional and standards, and are therefore competent, qualified, and can practice safely.

You benefit from CPD which ensures you have a continuous overview on patient protection

Continuing professional development is a registration requirement. By keeping your skills and knowledge up to date, you can demonstrate you are able to practise safely and effectively in your profession. Carrying out activities in your CPD which support your development needs provides a continuous focus on high quality patient care, putting patients at the heart of osteopathy.

Why you should promote your registration

Promoting your registration and raising awareness of your status as a regulated health profession is a useful way to show patients that you are trained, competent, practise to ethical frameworks and are required to put your patients first.

Patients want to be assured that you have the skills, knowledge and professional judgement to help guide them in making important decisions about their health and treatment. They need to know that they are protected from harm and have somewhere to turn if they have any concerns. The fact that you are a regulated health professional gives patients confidence to choose and trust in you.

We have a range of resources available for you to use to make people aware that you are registered.

Registration Marks

By displaying your Registration Mark you are providing a simple visual indication that you are registered. You can use your Registration Mark on:

• your website
• email signatures
• letterheads, appointment cards or business cards
• promotional material solely relating to your osteopathic practice
• within your practice, consulting room or waiting area.

Principal osteopaths of group practices can also apply for the ‘We’re registered’ mark.

Public Information posters

You can also display ‘I’m Registered’ posters for display in your practice, clinic, waiting room and suitable public areas.

There are two posters:

• one for use by individual osteopaths
• one for use by individual osteopaths (Welsh)
• one for group osteopathic practices
• one for group osteopathic practices (Welsh)
• These can be downloaded free of charge on the o zone.

If you would like copies printed and delivered you can order in A3 format (there is a small charge for post and packaging). You can purchase these by emailing info@osteopathy.org.uk

Download the value of regulation graphic and show patients you are fully registered with the GOsC.