General Osteopathic Council successfully prosecutes Nigel Graham for unlawfully describing himself as an osteopath
20 February 2024
The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), the UK regulator of osteopaths, has brought a successful prosecution against Nigel Graham, who practised in Dorset and Greater London, for unlawfully describing himself as an osteopath after being removed from the Register.
Mr Graham was found guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 20 December 2023 of using the osteopathic title while not registered with the GOsC. This is contrary to section 32 (1) of the Osteopaths Act 1993.
Since the passing of the Osteopaths Act 1993, the osteopathic title is protected, which means it is a criminal offence for any person to describe themselves as, or to imply that they are, any kind of osteopath unless they are registered with the GOsC.
Patient safety is the primary purpose of protecting the use of the osteopathic title. The GOsC ensures that the practitioners on its Register are safe and competent osteopaths who follow strict codes of conduct.
Mr Graham, having been removed from the Register in 2016 following the conclusion of a fitness to practise case, is not permitted to use the title of osteopath. The offence related to information shared to Mr Graham’s Facebook page on two occasions, despite multiple prior warnings from the GOsC to Mr Graham that by using the title of osteopath he was committing a criminal offence.
Mr Graham was fined £500 and ordered to pay this amount at a rate of £200 per month, starting on 9 February 2024. Mr Graham was also ordered to pay costs of £2,246 to the GOsC and a Victim Surcharge of £200.
You can find details of all osteopaths registered in the UK by searching the GOsC’s Register: osteopathy.org.uk/register-search
