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Fitness to practise

If a concern is raised about an osteopath, they can’t work myth buster As the regulator for osteopaths, we must ensure that all practitioners on the Register maintain proper and professional standards and conduct. The Osteopathic Practice Standards support osteopaths in improving their practice and complying with legislation ensuring high-quality care for patients.

Fitness to practise protects both osteopaths and patients. Maintaining patient safety and public confidence in the osteopathic profession means that we must investigate and consider concerns raised about osteopaths’ conduct, competence or health.

Concerns may fall within one of several categories (called ‘allegations’) as defined by law, including:

  • conduct which has fallen short of the standard required
  • professional incompetence
  • conviction of a criminal offence
  • serious impairment because of physical or mental health

You can read more about our concerns process and about our hearings.

Guidance for osteopaths

Fitness to practise - complaints procedureFitness to practise - complaints procedure explains the GOsC's general fitness to practise procedures and sets out what an osteopath needs to do if a concern is raised about them.

 

 

 

 

Hearings guidance for osteopathsHearings guidance for osteopaths contains detailed guidance about preparing for and attending a hearing. It will be provided to osteopaths if a case against them is referred for a hearing.

 

 

 

 

Myth buster Independent Support Service informationThe Independent Support Service

The Independent Support Service, delivered by Victim Support, has been working with GOsC since 2019 to help support patients, witnesses and osteopaths going through the fitness to practise process.

Victim Support is a national charity which provides a confidential safe space for people to discuss their feelings about the fitness to practise process and talk through what might be expected of them at each stage.

If you are involved in a fitness to practise case and feel you would benefit from the service you can refer yourself into the service by emailing medicalcouncils@victimsupport.org.uk or calling 0300 303 1964. The helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year, with caseworkers available to provide ongoing support Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (excluding bank holidays), or alternatively you can speak to your contact at the GOsC and ask them to refer you into the service.

The support that Independent Support Service can provide is available throughout the fitness to practise process and for three months after the case you are involved with concludes.

Find out more about the Independent Support Service

Resources

We have a range of resources, including some interesting case studies which can help explain fitness to practise and provide greater understanding and insight into how the process works. Fitness to practise resources