A Pilot Study Investigating the Nature of the Relationship Between Osteopaths and the NHS:
a comparison of two socio-economically different areas of London

Jenefer Davys                                                                                                 Supervisor: Stiofan MacSuibhne

Abstract:

Aim: To compare the attitudes of osteopaths towards the NHS, in two socio-economically different areas of London, by means of quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Method: A questionnaire with closed and open questions was sent to all osteopaths on the GOsC register in Kensington & Chelsea (KC), Newham and Tower Hamlets (NTH). Representatives of the relevant PCTs were invited to participate in telephone interviews to provide contextual data.

Findings: The response rate was 44% from KC and 27% from NTH. Findings were not statistically significant but trends emerged. The relationship between the NHS and osteopaths in KC appears to be stronger than in NTH due to the funding availability from KCPCT which employed several osteopaths at the time of this study. However, this paper shows that many osteopaths in KC and NTH share reservations about closer ties with the NHS particularly with regard to losing osteopathic identity and autonomy. Meanwhile, links between individual osteopaths and NHS professionals in both NTH and KC can be mutually rewarding and constructive even where treatment is not paid for by the NHS.