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Simon Fielding takes the helm as new Chair of The Osteopathic Foundation
The Osteopathic Foundation has appointed Simon Fielding as their new Chair.
Simon has worked tirelessly over more than 45 years to advance the role and standing of osteopathy both in the UK and overseas. He led the successful campaign for statutory self-regulation and was appointed by ministers as the first Chair of the GOsC.
He spent 13 years as a specialist advisor at the Department of Health and has served on the Commission on Primary Care, the Academic Board of Exeter University Department of Health Studies, and the Education Board of the American Academy of Osteopathy.
‘I am enormously excited and grateful for the opportunity to help steer the Foundation in the coming years and continue to contribute to the profession’s future.’
Simon also played a leading role in developing and establishing the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) and served on its Board for many years. In addition, Simon has many charitable interests and currently serves as the Chair of Trustees of The College of Medicine and the Kairos Rehabilitation Trust, which assist patients with chronic pain and complex long-term conditions.
He said: ‘The profession of osteopathy faces many challenges in this post-pandemic world. Many of our osteopathic education providers are facing serious student recruitment challenges. There is also a pressing need to ensure that our graduates are properly equipped to take on the increasing complexities of 21st century clinical practice and for osteopaths to take a greater role within healthcare.
‘Our young graduates of the future will, therefore, need much greater support and mentoring and the development of a proper career pathway. There continues to be a need for more research particularly in areas relevant to our clinical practise. The oF is uniquely placed to help support all of these developments. I am enormously excited and grateful for the opportunity to help steer the Foundation in the coming years and continue to contribute to the profession’s future.’
About the oF
The Osteopathic Foundation is a charitable trust dedicated to advancing osteopathic practice for the benefit of the public. It does this by funding education and research, and by promoting productive relationships both within and outside of the profession.
The Foundation receives no government funding and relies on donations from members of the public and the profession. For more information, including how to donate, click here.