GOsC extends deferral scheme for registration fee direct debit payments

First announced in April, the direct debit deferral scheme was initially introduced to allow osteopaths who were due to renew their registration in May or June to switch their payment-free months, in order to provide support during what continues to be a challenging time for many.

After having carefully monitored our financial position and cash flow, the GOsC has been able to extend the direct debit deferral scheme to also include those who are due to renew their registration in July.

As registered healthcare professionals, osteopaths need to renew their registration annually. Whilst some osteopaths pay their registration fees in full, all have the option to pay by instalment through direct debit. Paying via direct debit allows the registration fee to be spread across 10 of the 12 months of the registration year, meaning the payment does not need to be made in one lump sum and provides the osteopath with two payment-free months.

The direct debit deferral scheme allows osteopaths who pay by direct debit to benefit from the payment-free months at the start, rather than at the end of the registration year. So, for those who have just renewed, or are about to renew in July, the payment-free months would begin at the start of their registration year.

Matthew Redford, Chief Executive and Registrar, explains: ‘We are pleased to be able to extend this scheme after careful consideration of our financial position. We have been able to make use of the flexibility around how these direct debit payments are collected to provide support to osteopaths who are due to renew their registration’.

The GOsC has written individually to osteopaths due to renew in July, to explain the changes in more detail.

The direct debit deferral system will be kept under review.