New Council member for Wales appointed

Prof Debra Towse has been appointed to serve as Lay (non-osteopath) Member on Council until 31 March 2029. Debra will play a key role in shaping the General Osteopathic Council’s (GOsC) business plan objectives to ensure we can fulfil our statutory duties and deliver our Strategy towards 2030.

As Council Member for Wales, Debra will also play an important role in making sure the GOsC considers the needs of osteopaths, students, patients and members of the public in Wales throughout its strategic decision making.

Debra replaces Chris Stockport who was appointed to the role in September 2024 but has since relocated and can therefore no longer represent Wales.

In response to her appointment Debra said: 'I am delighted to have the opportunity to work as part of Council and look forward to sustaining high quality contemporary osteopathy practise and public confidence in the profession, through the assurance of the supportive and regulatory approach of GOsC operations'.

Our Chair of Council, Jo Clift said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Debra to Council. With patient safety and the education and development at the heart of our work at the GOsC, Debra’s 20 year clinical nursing career and wealth of knowledge of the health and social care landscape will I’m sure prove very beneficial to Council as we continue to deliver our Strategy.’

All Council members are appointed by the Privy Council following an open recruitment process undertaken by the GOsC and scrutinised by the Professional Standards Authority. The Council meets four times a year and the next meeting is due to be held in May 2025.

Osteopaths, students, patients and members of the public are welcome to join the public meetings of Council. To come along, please email council@osteopathy.org.uk

Read Debra’s biography.

Penodi aelod newydd o’r Cyngor i gynrychioli Cymru

Mae Debra Towse wedi ymuno â Chyngor GOsC i gynrychioli Cymru o 1 Ebrill 2025.

Mae Debra Towse wedi'i phenodi i wasanaethu fel Aelod Lleyg (nad yw'n osteopath) ar y Cyngor tan 31 Mawrth 2029. Bydd Debra yn chwarae rôl allweddol wrth lunio amcanion cynllun busnes y Cyngor Osteopathig Cyffredinol (GOsC) er mwyn sicrhau y gallwn gyflawni ein dyletswyddau statudol a chyflawni ein Strategaeth tuag at 2030.

Fel Aelod o’r Cyngor dros Gymru, bydd Debra hefyd yn chwarae rôl bwysig wrth sicrhau bod y GOsC yn ystyried anghenion osteopathiaid, myfyrwyr, cleifion ac aelodau o'r cyhoedd yng Nghymru ym mhob penderfyniad strategol.

Mae Debra yn cymryd lle Chris Stockport a gafodd ei benodi i'r rôl ym mis Medi 2024 ond sydd wedi adleoli ers hynny ac felly ni all gynrychioli Cymru mwyach.

Mewn ymateb i'w phenodiad dywedodd Debra: 'Rwy'n falch iawn o gael y cyfle i weithio fel rhan o'r Cyngor ac edrychaf ymlaen at gynnal ymarfer osteopathi o ansawdd uchel a hyder y cyhoedd yn y proffesiwn, drwy ddarparu sicrwydd o ran dull cefnogol a rheoleiddiol gweithrediadau GOsC'.

Dywedodd Cadeirydd y Cyngor, Jo Clift: 'Rydyn ni’n falch iawn o groesawu Debra i'r Cyngor. Gyda diogelwch cleifion ac addysg a datblygiad wrth wraidd ein gwaith yn y GOsC, bydd gyrfa nyrsio clinigol 20 mlynedd Debra a’i chyfoeth o wybodaeth am y dirwedd iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn fuddiol iawn i'r Cyngor wrth i ni barhau i gyflawni ein Strategaeth.'

Mae holl aelodau'r Cyngor yn cael eu penodi gan y Cyfrin Gyngor yn dilyn proses recriwtio agored a gynhaliwyd gan y GOsC. Mae’r Awdurdod Safonau Proffesiynol yn craffu ar y broses. Mae'r Cyngor yn cyfarfod pedair gwaith y flwyddyn a chynhelir y cyfarfod nesaf ar Mai 2025.

Mae croeso i osteopathiaid, myfyrwyr, cleifion ac aelodau o'r cyhoedd ymuno â chyfarfodydd cyhoeddus y Cyngor. Er mwyn trefnu i fod yn bresennol, e-bostiwch council@osteopathy.org.uk

Dyma fywgraffiad Debra.