The PSA publishes its review of the General Osteopathic Council’s performance for 2024/25

We have published our annual performance review of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). During 2024/25, we monitored the GOsC’s performance against the Standards of Good Regulation (the Standards).

For this period, covering 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the GOsC has met 18 out of the 18 Standards. Our report explains how we made our decision. 

The performance review is our check on how well the regulators have been protecting the public and promoting confidence in the health and care professions. 

The GOsC met our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Standard again this year. It continues to be active in relation to EDI and it continues to perform strongly against the majority of the indicators for this Standard. We saw an example of good practice, in the establishment, evaluation and improvement of its Patient Involvement Forum.  There has been a delay in the GOsC’s review of its fitness to practise guidance and the GOsC had not made the significant progress expected in the collection of EDI registrant data. The GOsC has plans in place to address the lack of progress. 

For the first time, this year the GOsC carried out a Registrant and Perceptions Survey which looked at the views of osteopaths, students, educators and partner organisations including how they perceive GOsC as their regulator and how the GOsC performs its role. The GOsC has begun work to make changes in response to the research findings. 

Last year the GOsC carried out a CPD Evaluation Survey and in this review period it incorporated its findings and stakeholder feedback in changes it made to its CPD guidance and Peer Discussion Review guidance and templates. The GOsC consulted on the revised documents in this review period.

The judgements we make against each Standard incorporate a range of evidence to form an overall picture of performance. Meeting a Standard means that we are satisfied that a regulator is performing well in that area. It does not mean there is no room for improvement. Similarly, finding that a regulator has met all of the Standards does not mean perfection. Rather, it signifies good performance in the 18 areas we assess.

Our reviews do not stop when we press the publish button. They are an ongoing, continuous process and, where we’ve identified areas for improvement, we pay particular attention to these as we continue to monitor the regulator’s performance.

As well as the areas highlighted above, we will monitor the education quality assurance process moving in-house from July 2025 and the recruitment of two Patient Council Associates to the GOsC’s Council as part of its Patient Partners Programme. 

We will also monitor the outcome of the independent review of the GOsC’s tone of voice, and any changes that may be implemented as a result.

There are other areas of the GOsC’s work which we will be monitoring closely, and you can find out more about the GOsC’s review in the full report. You can find out more about how we review the regulators here.

ENDS

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care

Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk