The Code Conversation - the next steps

The below was sent to chiropractors in the April 2024 Newsletter.

Our response to the "Food for Thought" Blog

Thank you to everyone who responded to the Nick Jones’ “food for thought” blog. It is clear that there is a wide range of deeply held views expressed in the most part thoughtfully and helpfully.

Our intention was to obtain a wider range of views than usual, to inform the discussion and development of the New Code. That goal was achieved with over 400 responses.

Our intention was not to cause distress or anxiety but we can see it had an unsettling effect for some within the profession and we are sorry for that.

The blog was never intended to be a formal consultation but for us to seek and receive views on some important areas. We say more below about the next stages. We will need some time to analyse the feedback so we can reflect the views back into the next stage of the conversation (in online and face to face discussions).

We hope you will participate in those discussions and look forward to having further constructive conversations as  the new Code is developed.

Progress so far: values, principles and next steps

Following the survey we ran in February, on 20 March the GCC Council agreed to the four values and 10 outline principles for the new Code:

You can read more about how we arrived at the values and principles on the new "Code Conversation" page on the website.

Now that the values and outline principles are agreed, work now starts on the statements to support the principles. Many will likely remain the same as the current code, with new ones being considered in line with the issues identified during the scoping review, and the Code Conversation.

The Code Conversation will continue during April and May with specific engagement with the Professional Associations and with registrants!

Get Involved:

On 1 May we are holding two online discussions for registrants at 12 noon and 7pm. These are an opportunity to help us understand what you, as a registrant, are looking for from the new Code; and for us to share our progress and findings so far.

A further "in person" meeting for registrants will be held on 15 May at the GCC offices in London. Places will be limited by the space and we know it will not be possible for most registrants to attend London for the day (we are unable to pay expenses). Nevertheless we wanted to offer an in-person opportunity for engagement with the Code Conversation. It is important to note that this will be no more or less important than other opportunities.

The Formal Consultation:

We will use all this research to develop a draft Code. The draft, alongside the research findings and formal consultation plan, will be taken to the Council in June.

If Council agrees to the proposed approach in June, the formal consultation stage will run over the Summer and early Autumn. In other words there will be a further opportunity to comment on the proposed Code.

We will analyse all the comments; and where appropriate; propose further changes. We expect Council to consider the responses to the formal consultation and any proposed changes to the Code at its meeting in December.