Osteopath goes undercover for TV's Quackbusters

Osteopath appointed head of Institute for Integrated Medicine

New Health Super Regulator

GOsC sets up national research body

Osteopaths at Repetitive Strain Injury conference

On the Move - the Osteopathic Clinic for Children

PPP - Alterations to benefits

Osteopath goes Undercover for TV's Quackbusters

Lawrence Kirk, Dean of Clinical Studies at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, appeared on BBBC1 recently on the watchdog programme "Britain's Worst". This episode was "Britain's Worst Quacks", looking at the problem of unlicensed practitioners. Lawrence went incognito, with hidden camera and recorder, to a bogus practitioner claiming to be a back specialist, and was interviewed afterwards for his reaction. A panel of medics judged Lawrence's man the worst of a bad bunch, earning the title "UKs Worst Quack".

A serious concern in spite of the light-hearted veneer. Under the Osteopaths Act 1993, only practitioner registered with the General Osteopathic Council can legally call themselves osteopaths. But there are still unqualified people out there claiming to help back problems.

Osteopath appointed head of Foundation for Integrated Medicine

Simon Feilding, past chairman of the General Osteopathic Council has been appointed the head of Prince Charles's Foundation for Integrated Medicine. Prince Charles established the Foundation to encourage co-operation between the best of conventional and complementary medicine. Simon was chairman of the General Osteopathic Council from its inception in under the Osteopath's Act.

National Council for Osteopathic Research set up

The General Osteopathic Council recently established the National Council for Osteopathic Research (NCOR) to foster research in the osteopathic field. Lack of research has long been a failing in the osteopathic profession. The profession recognises that this is an important area and has now taken this step to rectify the deficiency.

NCOR is now working with the osteopathic educational institutions to produce a strategic framework for osteopathic research for the next five years. NCOR is also appointing a research officer who will be based at the University of Brighton. Some research is already taking place at the osteopathic colleges and at postgraduate level. In 2004 the British College of Osteopathic Medicine is organising the fourth International Conference of Osteopathic Research in the US. Formation of NCOR should significantly increase the amount and quality of the research.

Health Super Regulator

In April a new body was set up by the Government to oversee the existing health care regulatory bodies. The Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals (CRHP) monitors the work of the nine professional organisations covering doctors, nurses, dentists, opticians, pharmacists, chiropractors and osteopaths. The CRHP can scrutinise the fitness to practice decisions of the individual regulating bodies. It can refer decisions to the High Court if it thinks them unduly lenient or erroneous.

PPP - Alterations to benefit

Private health insurers PPP have altered the standard benefit available for osteopathic treatment. They will now pay for a maximum of ten sessions per year

Osteopathic Clinic for Children Moves from Harley Street

The Osteopathic Clinic for Children (OCC) is moving from its prestigious address at 109 Harley Street, which has been its home for several years. Princess Diana bequeathed £1million to the OCC, which invested the money in a building in Harley Street. Due to demand, the OCC needs larger premises. They also want to be more community based to attract a higher proportion of needy families. They are moving to Woodbridge Street, Clerkenwell. As the number of osteopaths working at the OCC increases, more branches are planned in London and elsewhere, and to provide a more extensive service visiting schools and hospitals

Repetitive Strain Injury Conference, London, September '03

Osteopathy had a real presence at last month's two day conference organised by the Repetitive Strain Injury Association.

Day one looked at practical solutions to upper limb disorders and was attended by health and safety advisers, solicitors, occupational health professionals and senior business managers. The Health and Safety manager of BPI polythene, in a firm with a depot in Swansea, said that thanks to BPI's work with Osteopaths for Industry staff injury absenteeism was dramatically reduced through early intervention. Every pound invested in the scheme has saved BPI £12. The Health and Safety Executive has designated the BPI-Osteopaths for Industry project an example of best practice as part of its Securing Health together initiative

Day two was for RSI sufferers and focused on treatment and recovery. Osteopath Gavin Burt spoke and was well received by the audience. There was a lot of interest from delegates in the value of osteopathy in this field.