Osteopathy Celebrates 10 Years Of Regulated Practice, UK

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 31 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Osteopaths from around the world will gather today in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the UK Statutory Register for Osteopaths at a reception held in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Hosted by the General Osteopathic Council, the body responsible for regulating osteopathic practice in the UK, this occasion will formally launch 'Advancing Osteopathy 2008' - a three-day series of international conferences at London's Queen Elizabeth II Centre, attracting over 1,300 osteopaths and other clinical specialists from more than 20 countries.

The focus here on international research, education and practice reflects osteopathy's rapidly expanding role in modern primary care. Osteopathy in the UK has flourished under statutory regulation, with an estimated 30,000 people currently consulting osteopaths every working day. This equates to approximately seven and a quarter million consultations per year .

To coincide with 'Advancing Osteopathy 2008', the General Osteopathic Council today publishes Good Health in Good Hands, an anniversary review of the current status of osteopathy in the UK.

Regulated by statute under the Osteopaths Act 1993, the UK's 4,000 osteopaths are subject to a clear structure of training, supervision and ongoing professional development, which ensures the highest quality care.

"The public, patients and other healthcare professionals can be confident in osteopathic standards," says Chairman of the General Osteopathic Council, Professor Adrian Eddleston.
"If the rate of progress in the next decade continues at the pace set by the last, then the osteopathic profession will play an increasingly significant role in a health-orientated, patient-centred world."

General Osteopathic Council: Osteopathic Practice Survey - Pilot Study, 2006 - 07.

Notes:

'Advancing Osteopathy 2008'

1. 'Advancing Osteopathy 2008' will be launched at a formal reception in the Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Street, London EC2, on Thursday, 31 January 2008, at 11.30am. For further information, contact:
The General Osteopathic Council Press Office
Tel: 020 7357 6655, ext. 247/245

2. 'Advancing Osteopathy 2008' comprises a three-day series of international conferences at London's Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. For more information see: http://www.osteopathy08.co.uk.

3. Good Health in Good Hands - UK Osteopathy Today, an anniversary review of osteopathic practice, is published on 31 January 2008. The report is available from the General Osteopathic Council.

General Osteopathic Council

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has a statutory duty to regulate the practice of osteopathic care in the UK. Osteopaths must be registered with the GOsC in order to practise in the UK.

- We work with the public and profession to protect and promote patient safety through effective regulation of osteopaths in the UK by: registering qualified professionals
- setting standards of osteopathic practice and conduct
- assuring the quality of osteopathic education
- ensuring continuing professional development
- helping patients with concerns or complaints about an osteopath.

The 2008 Statutory Register of Osteopaths provides a geographical index of all practising osteopaths, and is available to healthcare providers and the general public. Printed copies will be available shortly from the GOsC.

General Osteopathic Council