We work with patients, the public, osteopaths and other stakeholders to protect health, safety and wellbeing and to uphold confidence in osteopathy. At the General Osteopathic Council we want patients and members of the public with an interest in osteopathy to be actively involved in the work we do. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, they help us make better decisions and ensure that the patient voice is at the heart of everything we do.

A major priority for us is to listen and learn from patients and the public to better understand their perspectives on:

• The education and training of osteopaths.
• The standards osteopaths need to meet.
• How we regulate osteopaths.

We are committed to ensuring that patients and members of the public can make their voices heard, by providing a wide range of opportunities to share their views, experiences and perspectives with us and the osteopathic profession.

Join our Patient Involvement Forum

We are looking for osteopathic patients, as well as those with an interest in osteopathy to join our Patient Involvement Forum. Members can take part in a range of activities such as focus groups, surveys and consultations, providing valuable insights that can help shape our work.

If you are interested in sharing your views to help make a difference to future osteopathic care, we would love to hear from you.

We provide training and support to help you participate fully in our work. The skills and experience you gain, might also be useful in other parts of your life or work.

Whether you’ve got lots of time to spare or only a little, and whatever your experience of osteopathic care, we hope you’ll find an opportunity that interests you and fits your availability. 

Further information

Our Patient Involvement Forum charter sets out more detail about what it means to be a member of the patient involvement forum.

Members are also rewarded for their time as a thank you for taking part. If face-to-face meetings or focus groups are held, we will also reimburse reasonable expenses.

If you have any questions or you would like to speak to us about joining the Patient Involvement Forum, please email Sonia van Heerden or Paul Stern at: patientengagement@osteopathy.org.uk