News from Council meeting: 17 July

The 76th meeting of the Council on 17 July was the first meeting led by the GOsC’s new Chair, Alison White, and also the first Council for new registrant members John Chaffey, Jorge Esteves and Haidar Ramadan.

Improving fitness to practise

Council considered two reports about how the GOsC conducts fitness to practise hearings. The first focused on the results of a survey conducted over the past two years looking at registrants’ and complainants’ experiences of the process.

Although the numbers involved in hearings is small, the number of questionnaires returned has now reached nearly 50, including 30 from registrants. Areas where the GOsC can make improvements have been identified, particularly communicating with registrants, but the survey also noted the high proportion of registrants who believed the process to be fair.

The research will continue so that we maintain an up to date understanding of registrants’ and complainants’ experiences.

The second report concerned the use of a Professional Conduct Committee procedure rule which would allow some cases to be concluded without a hearing. Through this procedure, a registrant can accept an admonishment without the GOsC (and the registrant’s insurers) incurring excessive hearing costs. Council approved a consultation with the BOA, insurers and others before a decision is taken on using this approach.

Adverse events and NCOR research

Council was presented with an overview of the four GOsC-funded adverse events projects that have now been concluded, the last of these being the CROaM study which was presented at this year’s regional conferences. Council also endorsed the next steps for making use of the research findings, which includes bringing together the projects’ researchers, NCOR and the BOA to identify, develop and deliver resources to support osteopaths in their clinical practice.

Council was also presented with the NCOR three-year strategic and work plan, by NCOR Director, Dr Dawn Carnes.

Data retention

The GOsC holds a range of data about individual registrants – including registration and complaints records – and we have a duty not to retain this longer than is necessary. Council considered a draft data retention policy, including the length of time that individuals’ records and other documents should be held, before endorsing a consultation with interested parties including the National Osteopathic Archive.

Annual Report and Accounts

Council approved the GOsC’s Annual Report and Accounts, which will be laid before Parliament shortly and then made available on the GOsC website.

Changes to Council

Council considered the report of a working group on the structure of Council and its committees. Their plan would involve making committees’ work more relevant to osteopathic practice and reducing the size of Council. The aim is to make the Council more effective and to achieve further cost-savings. Final decisions will be made at the October Council meeting.

The full Council agenda and papers can be found on the Meetings page of this website.