GOsC publishes new standards of practice for osteopaths
6 July 2011
New standards of practice, that osteopaths must meet from 1 September 2012, published after extensive review and consultation.
New standards of practice that osteopaths must meet from 1 September 2012 have been published by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Until then osteopaths must continue to work to the Standard 2000 – Standard of Proficiency and the Code of Practice, the standards currently in force.
The Osteopathic Practice Standards are the result of extensive review and consultation led by a working group of both osteopath and lay Council members, which included a formal public consultation held last year.
The 37 revised standards and accompanying guidance reflect current practice and are designed to be clearer and more concise than the two existing standards documents.
Copies of the Osteopathic Practice Standards have been sent to all osteopaths and the new standards are also available on the GOsC public website at www.osteopathy.org.uk and the dedicated website for osteopaths, the o zone.
In order to assist osteopaths in making the transition to the new standards, the GOsC will be providing support through the professional media and other activities during the coming year.
ENDS
For further information, contact:
The GOsC Press Office
Tel: 020 7357 6655 x245
Email: pressoffice@osteopathy.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has a statutory duty to regulate the practice of osteopathy in the UK. Osteopaths must be registered with the GOsC in order to practise in the UK.
We work with the public and the profession to promote patient safety by:
- registering qualified professionals
- setting, maintaining and developing standards of osteopathic practice and conduct
- assuring the quality of osteopathic education
- ensuring continuing professional development
- helping patients with concerns or complaints about an osteopath.
The 2011 Statutory Register of Osteopaths provides a geographical index of all practising osteopaths and is available to the general public and to healthcare providers online at: www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search
The GOsC has a legal duty to determine and publish the standards of practice that osteopaths must meet. The Osteopathic Practice Standards combines the revised and updated Standard 2000 – Standard of Proficiency and the Code of Practice, the standards that are currently in force. For further information about these see www.osteopathy.org.uk/standards/osteopathic-practice
The Osteopathic Practice Standards will come into force on 1 September 2012. During the intervening period the GOsC will support osteopaths to ensure they can meet the new standards, through an ongoing educational programme in The Osteopath journal, electronic bulletins and the dedicated website for osteopaths, the o zone.
A formal consultation on draft proposed standards was held in 2010 and canvassed a wide range of views from osteopaths, Osteopathic Educational Institutions, osteopathy students, the British Osteopathic Association, patient representative groups and individual patients. Reports on the consultation and the consultation responses are
available on the GOSC website at: www.osteopathy.org.uk/standards/osteopathic-practice
