GOsC seeks your views on two new draft policies

GOsC launches consultations on two new draft policies

The GOsC is seeking views on draft policies about protecting the osteopathic titles and whistleblowing. The closing date for responses to both consultations is 1 September 2014.

Enforcement of title

This new draft policy sets out our approach to the unlawful use of restricted osteopathic titles and the criteria that we will use in deciding whether or not to pursue criminal proceedings.

Under the Osteopaths Act 1993 (“the Act”), the use of certain titles is restricted to individuals who are registered with the GOsC. These restricted titles are:

• Osteopath 
• Osteopathic practitioner 
• Osteopathic physician 
• Osteopathist 
• Osteotherapist

It is a criminal offence for a person who is not registered with the GOsC to use these titles, or to describe themselves either expressly or implicitly as any kind of osteopath. We have undertaken a number of successful criminal prosecutions under section 32 of the Act.

For further information and to respond visit www.osteopathy.org.uk/news-and-resources/document-library/about-the-gosc/enforcement-of-title-consultation-document.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing is the raising of a concern, either within the workplace or externally, about a danger, risk,  malpractice or wrongdoing which affects others. We are seeking views on a draft policy about how we handle whistleblowing concerns that have been reported to us.

The draft policy sets out the sorts of concerns that we are able to consider, the actions that we can take in response to a concern, and the timescales for doing so. The policy also provides references to further sources of advice and information.

For further information and to send us your response see
www.osteopathy.org.uk/news-and-resources/document-library/about-the-gosc/draft-whistleblowing-policy-consultation-document.