Osteopathy should be included in healthcare workforce development plans

For immediate use

Osteopathic organisations representing the regulator, professional association and all accredited training providers in the UK are calling for the inclusion of osteopathy in the development of the Government plans to shape the future of the healthcare workforce.

The Department of Health?s consultation "Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce? sets out proposals for a new workforce, education and training structure driven by patient need and led by local healthcare providers. As a result of these plans, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), British Osteopathic Association (BOA) and the Council of Osteopathic Educational Institutions (COEI) have submitted a collective response to ensure that osteopathy is involved in these discussions to deliver high quality care for patients.

The GOsC?s Chief Executive and Registrar, Tim Walker, said:

“If the goal is a truly patient-centred healthcare system, then Government and local healthcare providers must engage with the osteopathic profession to ensure an effective and planned approach to the delivery of future services.”

In its joint response, the GOsC, BOA and COEI are calling for:

• The inclusion of osteopathy in a revised multi-professional approach to health workforce education and training. This will enable improved understanding of the knowledge and skills of different healthcare professions, facilitating referrals and patient pathways.
• Government and local healthcare provider engagement with smaller professions, like osteopathy, providing healthcare to the general public.
• Recognition that with an increased focus on self care and personal responsibility, private healthcare provision and capacity should be viewed alongside the NHS to ensure that services are available to reduce the pressure within the NHS.

To access the full response click here.

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 practice 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 British Osteopathic Association is the professional association for osteopaths: www.osteopathy.org 

The Council of Osteopathic Educational Institutions is the collective name for all accredited osteopathic training providers in the UK:

British College of Osteopathic Medicine: www.bcom.ac.uk 

British School of Osteopathy: www.bso.ac.uk 

College of Osteopaths validated by Keele University: www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk; www.keele.ac.uk

College of Osteopaths validated by Middlesex University: www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk 

European School of Osteopathy: www.eso.ac.uk 

Leeds Metropolitan University: www.leedsmet.ac.uk 

London College of Osteopathic Medicine: www.lcom.org.uk 

London School of Osteopathy: www.lso.ac.uk 

Oxford Brookes University – Programme of Osteopathy: www.brookes.ac.uk 

Surrey Institution of Osteopathic Medicine at NESCOT: www.nescot.ac.uk 

The consultation „Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce? can be found currently at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216421/dh_132087.pdf