GOsC Council holds virtual summer meeting

Council members noted that, in its latest annual performance review, the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) found that the GOsC has continued to meet all of its Standards of Good Regulation for the tenth year running. In a private session of Council, members met with Alan Clamp, Chief Executive of the PSA, to discuss the regulatory landscape.

At the meeting, which was chaired by Dr Bill Gunnyeon and held on Thursday 9 July 2020, Council approved:

• an interim Practice Note on questioning witnesses
• interim guidance for remote hearings
• the GOsC Annual Report and Accounts for 2019-20
• the Recognised Qualification renewal for Plymouth Marjon University
• the extension of the direct debit deferral scheme for those registrants who are due to renew their registration in August 2020

Council members also considered the GOsC annual reports relating to the Welsh Language Scheme and Equality and Diversity as well as annual reports from the Committees of Council.

Following the meeting, Bill said: ‘The impact of the global pandemic continues to be felt, and this was reflected in the matters considered by Council, from the financial impact on the organisation, to our innovative approach in restarting our fitness to practise activity. The approval of an interim practice note on questioning witnesses and interim guidance for remote hearings – both of which will be subject to public consultation later this business year – shows that the GOsC is taking great care to ensure our fitness to practise activity remains effective and fair to all’.

The meeting was observed by Maurice Cheng, Chief Executive of the professional membership body, the Institute of Osteopathy, together with representatives of the PSA.

The GOsC Council will next meet in November 2020.

• Read the papers from the meeting