GCC Annual Report 2021 published

As required in our legislation, the GCC Annual Report for 2021 was laid before Parliament in May. We summarise the main points of the report here.

Overall, 2021 was another challenging year for the profession. Increased workloads, the discomfort of using PPE and additional IPC requirements all placed extra burdens on registrants. Again, we thank all registrants for their hard work in providing patients with much needed and appreciated care during these unpredictable times.

We also acknowledge the work of chiropractic education providers, who were able to continue teaching throughout 2021 while maintaining standards and providing the necessary experience to students. The demand for chiropractic programmes remains buoyant and is reflective of those efforts.

For the GCC, 2021 was challenging. But by adapting and using the knowledge and experience gained from 2020, alongside the continuing dedication of our employees and partners, we were able to successfully fulfil all statutory duties, both to the public and the profession. 

Registrant growth

1. Over 180 graduates joined the GCC Register in 2021, the most significant annual intake and indicative of the measured and steady increase in UK chiropractic education provision. 

2. As of 31 December 2021, 3,441 chiropractors were registered with the GCC, an increase of 3% from the previous year.

3. We have continued updating and improving the GCC registrant online experience by creating the Registrant Resource Centre and publishing three digital toolkits to help registrants remain compliant when advertising, using social media or promoting their services on websites. 

4. An expert panel review on diagnostic imaging in chiropractic was conducted, with a consultation on draft guidance published in September 2021. Following final submission and approval by Council in December, the new guidance came into effect in March 2022.  

Education

5. The GCC approved a new Master of Chiropractic degree programme from AECC University College, with the first student intake occurring in September 2021.

6. A proposed new programme from The Scottish College of Chiropractic Charitable Trust is under consideration.

7. Following an extensive scoping review and stakeholder consultation, Council agreed to a review of Education Standards in 2022, with implementation in 2023. 

Fitness to Practise

8. The GCC Professional Conduct Committee heard 15 cases and concluded 11, finding Unacceptable Professional Conduct in five. Nine cases were carried forward into 2022. The increased number of cases heard (up from six in 2020) resulted from clearing the previous backlog due to the pandemic.

9. There was a 40% reduction in the number of complaints received (60) regarding the conduct and behaviour of chiropractors compared to 2020. This reduction followed an increase in complaints from the previous year, partly due to matters relating to COVID-19.

10. The GCC concluded the investigation of 82 cases, with nine of those referred to the Professional Conduct Committee. On average, investigations took 33 weeks to complete, compared to 30 weeks in 2020. Increased complexity in some cases and a spike in the number of hearings for interim suspension orders in the fourth quarter contributed to the increase in investigation times.

GCC 

11. Although Council agreed to a deficit budget of £140,000 for 2021, allowing activities to be carried forward from the previous year because of the pandemic, a balanced year-end budget was almost achieved with a deficit below £20,000. This success was due to close and careful financial management of expenditure and higher than expected income.

12. The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) published its annual review of the GCC’s performance in December. While good performance was recognised in 17/18 standards, we were disappointed that our EDI improvements did not meet the expected standard.  

13. Council agreed to a new GCC Strategy 2022-24 in September. Development of the new strategy followed discussion and consultation with many registrants, patients and stakeholders, for which we are grateful. The strategy places patients more firmly at the centre of our work and better positions the GCC to respond to changes in the external environment, most notably the health and social care regulatory landscape. The business plan for delivering the strategy’s first year is in place.

Visit our online publications for the full GCC Annual Report and Accounts.