The General Osteopathic Council (Professional Indemnity Insurance) Rules Order of Council 1998

In these Rules—

• “the Act” means the Osteopaths Act 1993;

• “osteopath” means a registered osteopath as defined in the Act;

• “prescribed risks” means the insurance risks which are prescribed under Rule 4;

• “prescribed amounts” means the minimum amounts of insurance cover to be obtained by an osteopath in order to cover the prescribed risks and which are set out in Rule 6.

unless the context otherwise requires, a reference—

Subject to Rule 3(2) any osteopath who practises as an osteopath must be insured against claims for any of the prescribed risks; and shall obtain and maintain insurance cover for not less than the prescribed amounts.

An osteopath who is also a registered practitioner need not obtain separate insurance to cover his practice as an osteopath if he is indemnified in his capacity as a registered medical practitioner and that indemnity complies with the insurance requirements set out in Rules 4 and 5 and is approved by the Registrar.

any legal liability for any negligent act, error or omission in professional services rendered or which should have been rendered by an osteopath whilst practising as an osteopath;

any liability for claims for public liability or product liability arising from death or injury to third parties or damage to third party property caused by the osteopath in the course of providing his professional services or in the course of supplying products in connection with those professional services;

any legal liability of an osteopath in respect of the risks set out in Rules 4(a) and (b) above which are attributable to his employees, partners, associates, co-directors or agents and which are connected with the provision of osteopathic services on his behalf or under his supervision;

any liability to pay all legal costs, of and incidental to all proceedings which may be recovered by a claimant against an osteopath arising out of any claim in respect of the prescribed risks, and all or any costs, fees and expenses which may be incurred by an osteopath in defending any claim in respect of the risks set out in rules 4(a) to (c) above.

Following registration, subsequent renewal or at any other time that the Registrar may stipulate an osteopath must provide the General Council with evidence acceptable to it that he has a current insurance policy which complies with the requirements of these Rules.

Any osteopath whose insurance ceases to comply with the requirements of these Rules or ceases altogether (for whatever reason) shall notify the General Council forthwith.