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On 18 March 2020 the GCC issued advice to registrants emphasising the importance of continuing to follow the latest national guidance in relation to COVID-19.

On 23 March the Prime Minister announced three new measures, the first requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited services; and two relating to the closure of shops/community spaces and the prevention of gatherings. People should only leave the house for shopping, exercise, travel to work if necessary and for any medical need, or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person.

We restate our recent advice here.

Decisions about how and who is treated are for the registrant. For patients in need of care a registrant must have regard to the Code, and must:

  • put patients’ health first, respect them and ensure that you promote their health and welfare at all times (Principle A)
  • prioritise patients’ health and welfare at all times when carrying out assessments, making referrals or providing or arranging care (A5)
  • treat patients in a hygienic and safe environment (A6)

We do not expect a registrant to provide treatment unless, in their professional opinion, it is safe to do so for the patients and registrant.

We welcome advice issued by the Chiropractic Associations to their membership including advice that routine, non-urgent consultations with patients should not take place, and in making decisions about treating patients on an emergency basis extreme caution be applied, suggesting that remote consultations might be preferable. Equally if registrants choose to close or stop providing treatment that is understandable and acceptable.

Registrants must balance the provision of emergency care with the requirement placed upon all of us to stay at home in order to slow the spread of the disease.

This approach is in line with that taken by the other professional healthcare regulators.

We know the impact this is having on the profession and the level of challenge and uncertainty involved. We will provide further information and advice as the situation develops.