General Osteopathic Council Recruiting New Council, UK

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 09 Sep 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has launched a national campaign to recruit members for its new Council.

In common with all healthcare regulators, the GOsC is moving to a new, smaller Council in compliance with Government reforms of healthcare regulation.

The new Council, to be constituted by April 2009, will comprise 14 members, of which seven will be osteopaths and seven lay. Thirteen new members, including a Treasurer, are now being sought, as the current Chair, Professor Adrian Eddleston, will serve a further four-year term up to the end of March 2013. An additional requirement is that at least one member of the General Council must live or work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

All members will be appointed by an independent body - the Appointments Commission - and by reference to a wide range of key competences.

The successful candidates will play a leadership role in the strategic development of osteopathic regulation in the UK and in ensuring quality patient care.

Further information about recruitment to the General Osteopathic Council, including an information pack and application form, is available from the Appointments Commission - reference: REG8506. Recruitment advertisements will also be published in the national press this week - see table below.

Tuesday 9 September 2008 - Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland)
Wednesday 10 September 2008 - Guardian
Thursday 11 September 2008 - Western Mail (Wales)
Friday 12 September 2008 - The Times
Friday 12 September 2008 - The Herald (Scotland)
Sunday 14 September 2008 - The Sunday Times
Sunday 14 September 2008 - The Herald (Scotland)

The General Osteopathic Council - reconstituted Council:

- Reforms to the constitution of the Council arise from the Government's White Paper, Trust Assurance and Safety - the Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century.

- At least one member of the General Council must live or work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

- Proposed timeline:

8 September 2008: National recruitment campaign launched
8 October 2008: Closing date for applications
End November/December 2008: Interviews
January/February 2009: Appointments made
February 2009: Council induction
1 April 2009: Reconstituted Council takes office

- Appointments are subject to the approval of The General Osteopathic Council (Constitution) Order 2008. The Department of Health is currently consulting on the draft Order, which closes on 7 November 2008.

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 General Osteopathic Council

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