It is the only body, by statute, able to register and regulate osteopathic practitioners by law. The GOsC has a duty to safeguard patients by ensuring high standards of ethical and clinical practice. Osteopathy was the first healthcare profession to be awarded statutory self-regulation for over 40 years, and the first of the professions previously outside conventional medical services to achieve statutory recognition. The Act came fully into force in May 2000. High standards of professional conduct are enforced by a single regulatory body.
All osteopaths have professional indemnity insurance.
There is an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints. The Investigating Committee , which will investigate any allegations against a registered osteopath of conduct which falls short of the standards required. The Professional Conduct Committee, which will consider allegations of professional misconduct referred to it by the Investigating Committee. The Health Committee, which will consider allegations of serious impairment due to ill-health of a registered osteopath referred to it by the Investigating Committee. In addition to these Statutory Committees there are a number of other committees covering executive matters such as legal issues and finance, ethics and external affairs.