The Professional Standards Authority has published its annual performance review of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). We review each of the statutory health and social care regulators each year to assess whether they are meeting Standards of Good Regulation. At the time of assessment, the GCC’s register covered approximately 3,400 chiropractors practising in the United Kingdom.

We conducted a targeted review of the GCC’s performance and concluded that it has met 17 of the 18 Standards of Good Regulation. The GCC did not meet Standard 3 which relates to its equality and diversity considerations of those on the register and those who it interacts with.

More information about how we reached our decision is set out in our Performance Review - GCC 2019/20 or read a summary in our snapshot.

ENDS

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care

Contact:

Email: media@professionalstandards.org.uk

Notes to the Editor

1. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
2. We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
3. We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
4. We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
5. We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
6. The General Chiropractic Council regulates chiropractors in the UK. As at 31 March 2020, it had 3,356 professionals on its register. Initial registration fee is £750; annual retention is £800; and there is a reduced fee of £100 for those who register as non-practising. The GCC’s work includes: setting and maintaining standards of practice and conduct for the chiropractic profession; maintaining a register of qualified professionals; assuring the quality of chiropractic education and training; and acting to restrict or remove registrants who are not considered to be fit to practise.
7. Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.
8. More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk