Explanatory note

This Order approves Rules of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) relating to the constitution of its four statutory committees: the Education Committee; the Investigating Committee; the Professional Conduct Committee; and the Health Committee.

Rule 1 contains introductory provisions and rule 2 provides for the GOsC to enter into arrangements with the Appointments Commission for it to assist the GOsC in connection with its appointment functions relating to its statutory committees.

Rules 4 to 11 contain the provisions specific to each statutory committee, including those relating to the committees’ compositions, the terms of office of their members and their quora. Each committee has ordinary members who are appointed by the GOsC or its chair, and may also have co-opted members, whom the committees themselves may put forward but whose co-option must be approved by the GOsC in accordance with a procedure which is set out in rule 3.

Rules 12 to 14 contain further common provisions for all of the statutory committees. There are common provisions relating to the grounds for disqualification from appointment to one of the committees, and to the removal of committee members from office. The GOsC is also given powers to suspend committee members where, for example, it is considering removing them from office.

Rule 15 contains provisions to ensure that the validity of the proceedings of the statutory committees is not affected by defects in appointments, vacancies or disciplinary action that is being taken, or that needs to be taken, against their members.

Rule 16 contains transitional provisions which enable cases that are ongoing before Investigating Committee, the Professional Conduct Committee and the Health Committee when the Rules come into force to be taken forward by these Committees as constituted on the day before the Rules come into force, where the Registrar of the GOsC so directs, rather than by these Committees as newly constituted on 1st April 2009. It also contains a transitional provision relating to the Education Committee.