GOsC consults on Osteopathic Practice Standards

A major public consultation opens today on new draft Osteopathic Practice Standards.

The Osteopathic Practice Standards comprise both the Standard of Proficiency and Code of Practice for osteopaths. Together, they set out the standards of competence and conduct to be met by all osteopaths in order to gain and maintain registration.

A decision was taken by the GOsC Council in January 2010 to bring together in a single document the Standard of Proficiency and Code of Practice for osteopaths. In the past these have been published separately.

We are now inviting views from stakeholders and the wider public on (a) this new, combined format and (b) on the revised standards proposed within it. The consultation document and the response questionnaire are available on the open consultations page of this website.

Following the consultation and analysis of responses received, we will publish the new Osteopathic Practice Standards in 2011.

The consultation process

The consultation will run for a period of 12 weeks from 1 September to 30 November 2010 and will be conducted on our behalf by independent consultants Hewell Taylor Freed & Associates.

We are using a variety of research methods to ensure that we receive as wide a response as possible. In addition to the online consultation Hewell Taylor Freed & Associates will be contacting a selection of osteopaths to take part in telephone or face-to-face interviews and focus groups. They will also make direct contact with the British Osteopathic Association, undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathic education providers, patient representative groups and osteopathic regional societies. Responses to the consultation will also be sought from osteopathic students and osteopaths with specific experience, such as those working part-time, within the NHS or involved in teaching or research.