ABSTRACT

The mainstream orthodox medical professions – including medicine, dentistry, osteopathy and chiropractic – have regulatory bodies and clear-cut codes of practice and standards. The operation of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) fulfils a number of functions: The General Osteopathic Council produces Pursuing Excellence, a document which provides a code of practice for osteopaths. Failure to meet this latter standard may have serious consequences for an osteopath. If a patient suffers harm as a result of a practitioner's incompetence or illhealth, and the deficiency is known to another osteopath, and that knowledge subsequently comes to light, the osteopath may find himself brought before GOsC to explain and justify the report. The punishment for failure to report could be as severe as that for the osteopath whose performance was compromised. Finally, and perhaps most harshly, the osteopath must be prepared to notify GOsC the becomes aware of a practitioner who may damage patients or whose behaviour brings the profession into disrepute.