General Osteopathic Council

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) is the regulator of the practice of osteopathy in the United Kingdom.

The GOsC was established in 1997 following the Osteopaths Act 1993 to 'provide for the regulation of the profession of osteopathy' with the primary aim of protecting the public. It produced the first Statutory Register of Osteopaths in 2000.

The aims of the GOsC are:

• To protect patients
• To develop the osteopathic profession
• To promote an understanding of osteopathic care

The work of the GOsC includes:^[1]

• Registers qualified professionals
• Sets standards of osteopathic practice and conduct
• Assures the quality of osteopathic education
• Ensures Continuing Professional Development
• Helps patients with complaints about an osteopath