The GCC Code is integral to ensuring high quality professional practice. It sets out for patients the quality of care they are entitled to receive from chiropractors. For chiropractors, they are the benchmarks of conduct and practice they will be measured against if a complaint is made to the GCC.
The current Code, the fifth edition, was published on 30 June 2015 and came into effect on 30 June 2016, as the Act requires the Council to give a year’s advance notice of changes to the Standards of Proficiency.
The current Code amalgamated for the first time the Code of Practice and the Standard of Proficiency into a more streamlined, single document and removed the supporting guidance. Guidance underpinning the Code is published separately and can be updated and produced more frequently as required.
In March 2023 the GCC published new Education Standards, having carried out a scoping review in 2021 and review in 2022. This work will help inform a review of the Code.
We will carry out scoping work to ensure the Code is up to date, maintains best practice and responds to developments in the profession and wider healthcare sector. This will involve stakeholder engagement on key topics such as social media and online conduct, maintaining professional boundaries and patient safety.
What happens next?
Over the next few months we will hold a series of focus groups with patients, registrants, professional associations and the Royal College of Chiropractors as well as our own decision makers and expert witnesses to:
- understand how external users perceive, access and apply the GCC Code and Guidance;
- identify any necessary updates to reflect changes to practice - the pandemic has accelerated new technologies and seen professionals continually adapting
- ensure the Code is fit for practice, taking accessibility and relevance into account
- remain consistent, as appropriate, with the Codes from other UK health professional regulators
A report outlining key findings and recommendations will be presented to Council in December for consideration.
How to take part
We will be holding an online registrant focus group on 19 September.
If there is sufficient demand, we will also hold an online focus group for other interested parties (non-registrants) on 20 September.
If you are interested in taking part in one of the focus groups, please let us know and we will contact with you with further details.
We are also sharing a questionnaire with registrants asking for views. A link to the questionnaire can be found in the September 2023 GCC Newsletter.
