National Council of Osteopathic Research annual concerns report published
9 April 2025
We’ve published the latest research report from the National Council of Osteopathic Research (NCOR) which annually reviews the types of concerns raised about osteopaths and osteopathic services.
This independent annual report provides data about concerns raised by osteopathic patients. Examining this data helps osteopaths and GOsC collectively take informed action to reduce the likelihood of these kinds of concerns arising in the future.
Finding out what osteopathic patients report whether to insurers or to GOsC, allows us to focus our support for osteopaths in these areas and highlights for osteopaths where they might like to focus their continuing professional development (CPD).
The key findings in this year’s report, updated with data collected from January to December 2023, are set out below:
Number of concerns: this latest report contains the second lowest figure since data collection began in 2013. There were 121 concerns raised in 2023, a slight reduction on the previous year’s figure of 126.
Clinical issues: The data shows an above average number of concerns about the lack, or inadequacy of, a treatment plan, and higher levels of concerns about new or increased pain, and delivery of forceful treatment.
Management: Concerns about not controlling the spread of communicable diseases were slightly above average, as were issues raised about value for money, and non-compliance with health and safety laws/regulation. (Read our infection control guidance which has recently been updated.)
Relational Issues: There was one concern raised about consent in this year’s report and slightly fewer than average concerns about communicating inappropriately or ineffectively. Concerns about sexual impropriety were higher at 15 this year, although slightly lower than the 9-year average. The report states ‘An increase in this number is an area of concern for all clinicians as it represents a betrayal of trust in a healthcare professional.’ For this reason GOsC is proposing mandatory CPD in the area of establishing and maintaining professional boundaries as part of the communication and consent requirement of our CPD scheme. Our consultation on proposed changes to our CPD Guidance and the Peer Discussion Review has just completed.
It is worth noting that osteopaths who have been in practice for 10 years or more are much more likely to have a concern raised against them, a finding that is similar in other professions.
GOsC Chief Executive and Registrar, Matthew Redford, said:
‘We welcome this latest annual NCOR concerns and complaints report. We continue to find it highly valuable in helping us to ensure we are focusing on supporting osteopaths to practise in accordance with the Osteopathic Practice Standards and that we are providing the right communications and resources to cover the areas of concern outlined in the report.
We know that since the introduction of our new CPD scheme in 2018, concerns have reduced significantly and we hope that a continued focus on key concerns will help osteopaths to continue to provide high quality care for patients.
We encourage osteopaths to read this report and take a look at the resources we provide to support osteopaths in the key areas highlighted.’
The independent NCOR report collates concerns and complaints data from the General Osteopathic Council, the professional membership body the Institute of Osteopathy and three insurers of osteopaths. The report is unique to the osteopathic profession and provides valuable feedback for osteopaths, students and educational providers.
Read more about NCOR and the NCOR Concerns and Complaints Report
