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The General Chiropractic Council (GCC), the independent statutory body that regulates chiropractors, has today launched a consultation to gather insights and views on a new proposed Code of Professional Practice.

The proposed document, will establish the standards of conduct, performance, ethics, and proficiency for anyone wishing to register as a chiropractor with the GCC, and will replace the current Code which was published in 2016.

The new Code of Professional Practice builds on the strengths of the 2016 Code, raising the fundamental standards to create a solid foundation for safer care across the profession.

In particular the Code of Professional Practice:

  • Focuses on person-centred care – recognising the diversity of every patient and prioritising personal diagnosis, individual (rather than standardised) plans of care, continual informed consent and regular assessment against the patient’s goals.
  • Emphasises the chiropractor’s responsibilities as a healthcare professional – covering vulnerability, power imbalances, boundaries, communication, commitment to development, and engagement with research.
  • Fosters collaborative healthcare, effective professional relationships and supportive workplaces by defining responsibilities to colleagues and when delegating or referring patients.
  • Applies to all forms of chiropractic practice – including different clinical approaches, research and education

The new document includes two new Principles concerning safety and quality in clinical practice; and the role of the chiropractor as a colleague in the workplace.

Nick Jones, GCC CEO and Registrar said:

"The Code is crucial for ensuring high-quality professional practice and informing patients about the quality of care they should expect from chiropractors. The standards within the Code serve as benchmarks for professional conduct and practice."

"Patients expect high standards from their chiropractor, and I believe the proposed Code of Professional Practice reflects those expectations."

 

The consultation can be accessed via  the GCC Code Consultation Webpage. The GCC will use the feedback to finalise the proposal, which is expected to be agreed by the General Chiropractic Council in December 2024. Once approved the Code of Professional Practice must 'sit for a year' before it is implemented and this will give the profession and the GCC time to prepare.