We work with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) to reinforce high standards in relation to advertising osteopathy to the public, ensuring it is responsible and it is not misleading.

Ensuring advertising is legal, decent, honest and truthful is essential to maintaining trust in the profession. Advertising regulation provides a set of standards that, when adhered to, help achieve our shared goal of public protection.

We're issuing this joint message to highlight how we take action to protect the public from unregulated individuals using, or aligning themselves with, the osteopathic title.

Both the GOsC and the ASA are concerned about individuals who use the title ‘osteopath’, or align themselves with it, when they are not registered with the statutory regulator. We consider this to be misleading for the public and something that may potentially place patients at risk of harm. 

If a complaint is made to the ASA, it will be considered to determine whether the advertising has the effect of misleading the public about the status, qualifications or experience of those providing the services. The ASA has the power to ban advertising that is misleading or irresponsible.

Concerns about advertising used by unregulated individuals can be raised using our online complaints form.

If a notification is made to the GOsC, it will consider whether there has been a breach of the law relating to protection of title, specifically Section 32 of the Osteopaths Act 1993. The GOsC can issue ‘cease and desist’ letters and, in the most serious cases where it is in the public interest, may take out private prosecutions against individuals.

Potential breaches of Section 32 of the Osteopaths Act 1993 can be raised with the GOsC by emailing: [email protected].

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