Horley man guilty of falsely claiming to be an osteopath

On 25 October 2016 Mr Cove appeared at Redhill Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of using the title of ‘osteopath’ while not registered with the GOsC, contrary to Section 32 of the Osteopaths Act 1993. Since the passing of this Act the title ‘osteopath’ is protected and it is a criminal offence for anyone to claim, expressly or by implication, to be any kind of osteopath, unless registered with the GOsC. 

The first offence related to Mr Cove telling a patient he was an osteopath during an appointment at his practice in January 2016. The second offence related to Mr Cove in June 2016 confirming over the phone to a private investigator, instructed by the GOsC, that he was an osteopath.

Mr Cove, who provided services at the Carlton Clinic in Horley, was fined £500 for each of the two offences and ordered to pay costs of £1,478 to the GOsC along with a surcharge of £50.

In 2015, following an investigation into his fitness to practise as an osteopath, Mr Cove was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and consequently removed from the GOsC Register. From 19 March 2015, he was no longer able to use the title osteopath.

Patient safety is the primary purpose of restricting 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.

For details of a registered osteopath in your area contact the General Osteopathic Council on 020 7357 6655 or visit www.osteopathy.org.uk  

ENDS

For further information contact:
The GOsC Press Office
Tel: 020 7357 6655 x245
Email: pressoffice@osteopathy.org.uk 

Notes to Editors

1. 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.

2. The 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: http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/