Communication

Effective communication is fundamental to safe, person-centred chiropractic care. The new Code emphasises that chiropractors must communicate clearly, respectfully and responsibly with patients, colleagues and the public. This includes conversations in the clinic, written information, website content, advertising and all digital or social media activity. High-quality communication supports informed decision-making, strengthens trust, and ensures that patients receive accurate, evidence-based information that reflects the professionalism of the profession.

Guidance and Toolkits

The GCC’s communication guidance and toolkits provide practical support on maintaining clarity, accuracy and professionalism across all forms of communication. Resources cover responsible advertising, digital conduct, patient dialogue, risk communication, and inter-professional collaboration. They help registrants meet Code requirements while navigating modern communication channels with confidence, ensuring that every message protects the public and upholds the integrity of the profession.

Guidance for Registrants: Social media and digital messaging

This guidance will assist registrants to meet the expectations of the Code of Professional Practice in relation to Social Media and digital messaging.

It covers:

Privacy and anonymity
Professional behaviour (including boundaries and confidentiality)
Accountability

Read the Social Media and Digital Messaging Guidance

Social Media and Digital Communication Toolkit

For all the advantages and benefits that social media and digital communication offers, there are several common pitfalls that, if not avoided, can create reputational and legal problems for an individual or business. The purpose of this GCC social media and digital communications toolkit, is to help chiropractors avoid some of the more common issues that have arisen when promoting their chiropractic businesses or services or when communicating online with patients, some of which have led to Fitness to Practise complaints.

The toolkit is not exhaustive, but provides registrants with top-line advice on what is likely to be acceptable or unacceptable in respect of social media content, as well as providing some useful links and advice on maintaining an online presence.

Read the Social Media and Digital Communication Toolkit

Communication Toolkit

The Code of Professional Practice sets out the professional duty to communicate not only with patients, but also with their advocates, carers, families, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. This includes face-to-face interactions, written information, and all online communication. Good communication supports patients in making informed decisions about their care, ensures their consent is valid, and builds a trusted relationship. It also plays an important role in transparency, for example, by making fees, policies, and complaints processes clear and accessible.

This toolkit provides registrants with practical suggestions to help chiropractors put the Standards into action and demonstrate professionalism through effective communication.

Read the Communication Toolkit

Website Toolkit

The purpose of the GCC website toolkit is to help chiropractors
avoid some of the more common issues that have arisen when
promoting their chiropractic practices or services. Occasionally some of
these issues have led to Fitness to Practise complaints.
The toolkit is not intended to be exhaustive but provides you with top-line
definitions of what is likely to be acceptable or unacceptable
in respect of website content.

Read the Website Toolkit