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How to find support as an osteopath and student

The importance of getting support as a health professional

We encourage all osteopaths and especially those new to osteopathic practice to build networks and communities with other osteopaths and health professionals to support ongoing personal and professional development. Osteopathic education, training and practice is rewarding, with high patient satisfaction reported, however, it is a challenging profession. Seeking support and building networks can help osteopaths and students to thrive, both personally and professionally.

Like all health professionals, osteopaths and students have a responsibility to seek support and advice from others to provide high quality care to patients and practise safely; and also, to provide support to colleagues.

Building communities and networks around you can help when you have decisions to make, or challenging situations to talk through.

The CPD scheme involves professional discussion with a peer, this is because colleagues play such an important role in building good practice. See more about the Peer Discussion Review

What do the Osteopathic Practice Standards say?

The Osteopathic Practice Standards state that osteopaths should both seek support and provide support.

B2: ‘You must recognise and work within the limits of your competence’ and supporting guidance includes that ‘you should consider seeking advice or assistance from an appropriate source to support your care for the patient’ and you should consider ‘working with other osteopaths and health professionals to provide the most appropriate care for your patient.’

D9: ‘You must support colleagues and cooperate with them to enhance patient care.’

Where can I get support?

GOsC can provide the following support:

  • We can help you navigate the OPS:

The Osteopathic Practice Standards and supporting guidance provide a framework for osteopaths. GOsC can help you to navigate the standards to support you to make decisions based on your professional judgement. You can contact the standards team at standards@osteopathy.org.uk or 020 7357 6655 x240

  • We can support you to meet the requirements of the CPD scheme:

GOsC provides a range of resources including workbooks and case studies free of charge to help you do your CPD. If you have questions about how to meet the requirements of the CPD scheme or you are struggling, we have a dedicated support service. You can contact CPD support at registration@osteopathy.org.uk or 020 7357 6655 x 231. As the regulator, we carry out verification and assurance checks on 10% of osteopaths each year. For osteopaths who have not completed the CPD requirements when we check, we also provide a specific support service to help them to complete their CPD cycle successfully. 

  • Putting you in touch with others:

Regional Group Leads: There are a number of regional groups that meet either online or in person and are run by volunteers. They can often signpost or support you on a range of issues including clinical, research and business skills. You can find a list of regional osteopathic groups and their contact details, where osteopaths can connect with each other, share experiences and learning, attend CPD sessions and arrange Peer Discussion Reviews on the o zone.

Finding a peer to support your CPD: The iO Peer Matching Platform could help you to find a peer.

Institute of Osteopathy: The Institute of Osteopathy (iO) is the professional membership organisation for osteopaths. The iO can provide support to members. You can contact the iO on its website or by phone at 01582 488455 or by email at: enquiries@iosteopathy.org

Postgraduate education providers and CPD organisations: There are a number of postgraduate education providers (including some undergraduate educational providers) and CPD organisations who may also be able to provide support to you. We can help signpost you to relevant organisations. Please contact the GOsC team at info@osteopathy.org.uk, by WhatsApp at 020 7046 0406 or by phone at 020 7357 6655 x242. Some CPD events are also listed on our CPD website. CPD events provide excellent opportunities to meet osteopaths and increase your professional networks.

National Council for Osteopathic Research: consider joining the NCOR Practice Based Research network – further information about joining is available on their website.

Financial Support

Organisations such as Money Helper and Citizens Advice can provide resources and guidance to support people with financial concerns.

Support when I have a concern raised against me

Despite osteopaths having high satisfaction ratings from patients, it’s inevitable that some patients will raise a concern with the regulator. To reduce the risk of patients complaining to the regulator, it is important to have a good complaints procedure in place and, where appropriate, to resolve complaints locally.

The Osteopathic Practice Standards state: ‘You must have a policy in place to manage patient complaints and respond quickly and appropriately to any that arise.’

Concerns are best managed locally through dialogue with the patient and the support of colleagues where appropriate. A complaint is an opportunity to reflect on the communication and standard of care that was given, and it may highlight areas of practice that could be improved. A concern which is handled well can also result in a stronger bond of trust between osteopath and patient, leading to improved patient care.

How to engage with patients following a complaint

Our Duty of Candour Report (2024) about patient expectations has useful information about how to engage with patients when things go wrong, or are perceived to have gone wrong, including a patient-designed approach to an apology.

However, sometimes a concern will be raised with the regulator, and this can be difficult for all involved while the concern is ongoing and after it concludes. Information about the purpose of our fitness to practise process (which focuses on public protection not punishment) and the steps that need to take place to ensure fairness, are available in our GOsC fitness to practise report 2024.

Independent support for osteopaths following a concern

The free confidential independent support service is available to all osteopaths involved in fitness to practise cases. Osteopaths can contact the Independent Support Service by emailing medicalcouncils@victimsupport.org.uk or calling 0300 303 1964. The helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year, with independent caseworkers available to provide ongoing support Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (excluding bank holidays). Further information about the Independent Support Service is available on our website.

Managing your health

Managing your health is a professional responsibility.

What do the standards say?

The Osteopathic Practice Standards, D11 state that: ‘You must ensure that any problems with your own health do not affect your patients.’ Supporting guidance states that: ‘You must not rely on your own assessment of the risk to patients. 1. If you know or suspect that your physical or mental health is impaired in a way that might affect the care you give to patients, you must: 1.1 seek and follow appropriate medical advice on whether you should modify your practice and in what way’

Most health conditions will be managed locally by osteopaths and their medical advisors and in most cases, it is not necessary to take further steps to inform GOsC, provided patients are safe.

Resources to support your health include:

  • CALM – a charity that provides resources on a range of issues including anxiety, grief and money worries.
  • Mental Health – a charity that provides resources to support mental health.
  • MIND – a charity that provides a range of resources to support people with mental health conditions.
  • Samaritans – a charity that can provide support (including a free counselling service) if you are finding it difficult to cope.
  • Your local GP or the NHS 111 service might also help you to find the support you need to manage your health.
When should GOsC be informed and involved in health cases?

If you are so ill that you are unable to practise safely because of your health condition, you must stop practising and inform GOsC. This is to ensure that both patients and you are protected. The GOsC Health Committee sits in private and is designed to provide support to the osteopath and to protect the public.

The supporting guidance to D11 in the Osteopathic Practice Standards states: ‘1.2 if necessary, stop practising until your medical adviser considers you fit to practise again, 1.3 inform the GOsC.’

Specific support for students

GOsC is responsible for assuring the quality of education.
Relevant guidance for students includes:

If you have any concerns about the meeting of Osteopathic Practice Standards or the Standards for Education and Training, you can always contact GOsC for an informal chat at education@osteopathy.org.uk or 020 7357 6655 x240. You can request that this is a video call if you prefer.

Sometimes, students will not be able to resolve concerns locally. In these situations, GOsC has an education complaints policy to manage any concerns that the educational provider is not delivering the . The complaints process is available here. Complaints about individual matters affecting the student will normally need to go to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. In all circumstances, GOsC will be able to chat through the issues and help you to find the relevant route to resolve your concern. Complaints about individual matters affecting the student will normally need to go to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. In all circumstances, GOsC will be able to chat through the issues and help you to find the relevant route to resolve your concern.

How else does GOsC support students?

We visit all educational providers in person or online each year to discuss our role and standards. We also present to final year students and provide advice about how to register and how to make a successful transition into practice. If you have not heard from your provider about these presentations, contact us at info@osteopathy.org.uk or 020 7357 6655 or WhatsApp on 020 7046 0406.

Student forum – we invite students to share their views on our work during online student forum meetings. This is also a good opportunity to meet students from other education providers and to learn about what GOsC does and how you can influence that. Find out more on our website or if you’re interested in attending, please contact us on: info@osteopathy.org.uk

GOsC contact details

You can contact the General Osteopathic Council in a variety of ways including:

  • Phone: 020 7357 6655 x242
  • Email: info@osteopathy.org.uk
  • WhatsApp: 020 7046 0406 during office hours and we’ll do our best to help you with your enquiry.
  • Video calls, please contact us by email, WhatsApp or phone to arrange a video call, if this is how you prefer to communicate.
  • Weekly drop in: Osteopaths and students are very welcome to drop in any time on a Tuesday between 12 and 1pm and join one of our weekly lunchtime chats with GOsC staff. Log in to the o zone to find the Zoom link on the homepage or check your ebulletin.
Feedback

If you have any questions about where to get the support you need, please contact us, using any of the methods above, and we will always do our best to help you. You can also give us feedback via our website.