News
HRH celebrates 10 years of regulation at a reception for the General Osteopathic Council, The Drapers' Hall, London
31st January 2008
The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the achievements of Britain's osteopaths today at a reception to celebrate 10 years of official regulation at the Drapers’ Hall in London.
His Royal Highness joined dozens of the complementary therapists to mark 10 years of official regulation that has put them on the same footing as doctors and dentists.
The Prince of Wales has a strong interest in health and founded The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (FIH) to encourage greater collaboration between conventional and complementary practitioners and facilitate the development of integrated healthcare.
Today’s event held also marked the launch of a series of three-day conferences in the capital into osteopathic research, practice and education.
The Prince, who is Patron of the regulatory body the General Osteopathic Council, told the gathered audience he was proud to hold the position.
In a speech The Prince said: "Especially, if I may say so, as it seems to me that the whole profession is moving into a new era, having established itself so effectively as a source of leadership and knowledge within the international osteopathic community and across healthcare disciplines."
Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints.
Ten years ago the UK Statutory Register of Osteopaths was established following the passing of the Osteopaths Act 1993 and years of campaigning by supporters of the therapy.
The UK's 4,000 osteopaths are today subject to a clear structure of training, supervision and continuing professional development, to ensure the highest quality care.
The Prince said: "Now, if I may say so, I am also enormously encouraged to hear of other initiatives – the Forum for Osteopathic Regulation in Europe, for example, is helping to find practical ways through the sometimes complex legislation and is trying to ensure greater collaboration between sectors of the profession across Europe and, indeed, around the world.
"Osteopathic educational institutions now offer university- validated courses and public funding of osteopathic training courses makes it a viable career option for many students.
"None of this progress would have been possible without the underpinning statutory regulation. Crucially, the General Osteopathic Council has helped to blaze the trail for the robust regulation of all complementary therapies.
”My Foundation has also been very active in this field, working with the Department of Health to bring other therapies up to similarly rigorous standards – not an easy task, I can assure you - and I am delighted that the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, as it will be known, has the responsibility of strengthening safeguards for patients without imposing even greater amounts of unnecessary red tape."
Click here to read the speech.