About the RCC

About the RCC

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) is an apolitical professional membership body. It promotes and supports high standards of education, practice and research, enabling chiropractors to provide, and to be recognised for providing, high quality care for patients.

Our Charitable Objects

The RCC is a Royal Chartered academic membership organisation with over 2000 members worldwide, and the following objectives:

(1) to promote the art, science and practice of chiropractic;
(2) to improve and maintain standards in the practice of chiropractic for the benefit of the public;
(3) to promote awareness and understanding of chiropractic amongst medical practitioners and other healthcare professionals and the public;
(4) to educate and train practitioners in the art, science and practice of chiropractic;
(5) to advance the study of and research in chiropractic.

Our Vision

For every patient to receive the highest quality chiropractic care.

Our Mission

Assuring and supporting improvements in the quality, safety and professionalism of chiropractic practice, postgraduate education and research.

A brief history of the RCC

The legislation underpinning the UK chiropractic profession, the Chiropractors Act, received Royal assent on 5th July 1994 and the Privy Council announced the membership of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), the profession’s registering body, on 28th January 1997.

During the intervening period, it became clear that the Act would not fulfil all the aspirations of the profession in terms of moving into the mainstream of healthcare; there was an obvious gap between the GCC as the registering body and the professional associations acting as trade unions. This gap related to such areas as postgraduate education and training, research and specialisation.

On the advice of a senior medical figure, an organisational model similar to that of a Medical Royal College was devised. Thus, the College of Chiropractors was conceived during 1997 and incorporated in 1998 as an independent body to develop, encourage and maintain the highest possible standards of chiropractic practice for the benefit of patients.

Over the next couple of years the ‘College’ grew with a regional faculty infrastructure, the mainstay of the organisation, becoming firmly established in order to foster education locally. As an independent body, separate from any of the political groups, members were able to share information and expertise from all areas of the profession. Following its incorporation in October 1998, the College of Chiropractors was formally launched on 28th April 1999 at the King’s Fund.

The College actively fosters patient and public partnership through the Lay Partnership Group. It offers its membership a wide and growing range of benefits including a UK-wide programme of subsidised CPD events via a unique infrastructure of clinical interest groups or ‘faculties’.

At a meeting of the Privy Council on Wednesday 12th November 2012, Queen Elizabeth II approved the grant of a Royal Charter to the College. Rarely granted, a Royal Charter signals permanence and stability and, in the College’s case, a clear indication to others of the leadership value and innovative approach the College brings to the development of the chiropractic profession. The Royal Charter essentially formalised the College’s position as a unique, apolitical, consultative body, recognising its role in promoting high practice standards and certifying quality and thus securing public confidence.

In February 2013, Queen Elizabeth II also gave permission for the College to change its name to The Royal College of Chiropractors. The Royal title was sought to help the public understand that the College has a similar role to the Medical Royal Colleges in terms of promoting standards for practice quality, running postgraduate training for new graduates, providing continuing professional development opportunities and supporting research.

The Royal Charter
The Royal Charter Byelaws

‘It is particularly important, now that NHS funding for chiropractic treatment is emerging, that patients are aware of their treatment choices, that they know the care chiropractors provide for low back pain is a valid option supported by NICE and that the familiar entity of a Royal College is helping to support their interests.’

Tim Jay, Founding President of The Royal College of Chiropractors

Quality, Safety and Professionalism in Chiropractic Practice

The following explains what we mean by quality, safety and professionalism in relation to chiropractic practice, and some of the ways we help support their development and application.

Quality in chiropractic practice refers to the high-quality care that is expected by patients.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes quality in chiropractic practice is characterised by:

  • Patient-centred, evidence-based care1
  • Safe practice2
  • Active monitoring of performance and practice improvement3
  • Effective communication and teamwork4
  • Participation in continuing professional development5

The RCC’s Quality Standards are tools designed to help deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. They are a series of specific, concise quality statements with associated measures that provide aspirational, but achievable, markers of high-quality patient care covering the treatment of different conditions; The RCC’s Supportive Self Management Quality Standard focuses on patients with chronic conditions and their active involvement in shared decision-making and the support given to help them to make informed choices about their treatment and care (direct ref); The RCC’s new Chiropractic Practice Standard on Patient Communication addresses defines required practices and evidence-based guidance for effective and safe patient communication.

CPiRLS, the RCC’s Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting and Learning System, is an online reporting and learning forum that enables chiropractors to share and comment on patient safety incidents. The essential details of submitted reports are published on this website for all chiropractors to view and add comments. A CPiRLS team identifies trends among submitted reports in order to provide feedback for the profession. Sharing information in this way helps to ensure the whole profession learns from the collective experience in the interests of patients; The RCC’s Safe With Us initiative aims to nurture the development of a culture safety in every chiropractic clinic.

The RCC’s Clinical Audit resources help chiropractors compare their processes and clinical practices to best practice, enabling identification of areas that require change and improving care quality; The RCC’s Quality Marks help to assure high quality practice according to patient expectations, defined by the RCC Lay Partnership Group (now Chiropractic Patient Voice) and the principles of clinical governance.

The RCC’s live webinar series, culminating in the 2022 AGM/President’s Lecture, addresses key aspects of patient communication; The RCC Chiropractic Practice Standard on Patient Communication addresses defines required practices and evidence-based guidance for effective and safe patient communication.

The RCC’s extensive CPD programme provides a broad range of live webinars, face-to-face training events and online learning to help chiropractors maintain and develop their knowledge and skills (Events & Training and PRT); The RCC’s PRT programme supports chiropractic graduates during their crucial first year of professional development.

Safe chiropractic practice refers to the avoidance of harm associated with care provision.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes safety in chiropractic practice is demonstrated by:

  • Involving and communicating effectively with patients and the public1
  • Integrating risk management activity
  • Implementing solutions to prevent harm2
  • Reporting and learning from safety incidents3
  • Developing a practice culture where safety comes first4

The RCC’s current live webinar series, culminating in the 2022 AGM/President’s Lecture, addresses key aspects of patient communication (https://rcc-uk.org/rcc-events/); The RCC’s new Chiropractic Practice Standard on Patient Communication addresses defines required practices and evidence-based guidance for effective and safe patient communication.

The RCC’s emergency referral form, developed for patients suspected of having a condition that requires immediate medical attention, includes the essential information required to facilitate A&E triage.

CPiRLS, the RCC’s Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting and Learning System, is an online reporting and learning forum that enables chiropractors to share and comment on patient safety incidents. The essential details of submitted reports are published on this website for all chiropractors to view and add comments. A CPiRLS team identifies trends among submitted reports in order to provide feedback for the profession. Sharing information in this way helps to ensure the whole profession learns from the collective experience in the interests of patients.

The RCC’s Safe With Us initiative aims to nurture the development of a culture safety in every chiropractic clinic.

Professionalism in chiropractic refers to chiropractors’ knowledge, skills and competencies, and how these are brought to bear in day-to-day practice.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes chiropractic professionalism is demonstrated by:

  • Exhibiting honesty, integrity and high ethical standards of conduct
  • Ensuring patient health, safety and welfare is paramount1
  • Communicating accurately and effectively with patients and colleagues2
  • Educating, informing and actively involving patients in their own care
  • Providing high quality clinical care and practice, applying evidence-based standards and guidance wherever possible3
  • Recognising your professional limitations
  • Maintaining appropriate relationships and boundaries
  • Protecting patient confidentiality
  • Maintaining and developing professional knowledge and skills4

CPiRLS, the RCC’s Chiropractic Patient Incident Reporting and Learning System, is an online reporting and learning forum that enables chiropractors to share and comment on patient safety incidents. The essential details of submitted reports are published on this website for all chiropractors to view and add comments. A CPiRLS team identifies trends among submitted reports in order to provide feedback for the profession. Sharing information in this way helps to ensure the whole profession learns from the collective experience in the interests of patients; The RCC’s Safe With Us initiative aims to nurture the development of a culture safety in every chiropractic clinic; The RCC’s first aid training guidance helps to ensure chiropractors are suitably prepared to deal with emergencies that may arise in their clinic; The RCC’s Emergency Referral Form helps chiropractors refer patients suspected of having a condition that requires immediate medical attention – it includes the essential information required to facilitate A&E triage.

The RCC’s Diploma in Pain management improves understanding of non-physical factors and how to develop the necessary language to record, discuss and  articulate findings/management approaches related to psychological and social aspects of clinical cases (https://bit.ly/3iZzSo8); The RCC’s online modules on motivational interviewing and OARS guide help chiropractors develop effective patient communication skills; The RCC’s live webinar series, culminating in the 2022 AGM/President’s Lecture, addresses key aspects of communication and will help you meet your directed CPD requirement for 2021/22; The RCC’s new Chiropractic Practice Standard on Patient Communication addresses defines required practices and evidence-based guidance for effective and safe patient communication.

The RCC’s Quality Standards are tools designed to help deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. They are a series of specific, concise quality statements with associated measures that provide aspirational, but achievable, markers of high-quality patient care covering the treatment of different conditions; New Chiropractic Practice Standards are also in development; The RCC Discovery Service provides access to the research literature with advances search tools and much full text.

The RCC’s PRT programme supports chiropractic graduates during their crucial first year of professional development; The RCC’s extensive CPD programme provides a broad range of live webinars, face-to-face training events and online learning to help chiropractors maintain and develop their knowledge and skills; The RCC Library provides online access to a wide range of books with the option to suggest titles.

Quality, Safety and Professionalism in Research

The following explains what we mean by quality, safety and professionalism in relation to chiropractic research.

Quality in chiropractic research refers to the application of proper scientific process in the context of study design and implementation.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes quality chiropractic research:

  • Is guided by logical reasoning.
  • Prioritises important and potentially impactful topics.
  • Is based on sound research questions that pose testable hypotheses.
  • Uses appropriate research methods.
  • Seeks to minimise bias.
  • Is representative and externally valid.
  • Is transparent and reproducible.
  • Recognises its limitations and the need for future studies.

Safety and professionalism in chiropractic refers to appropriate allocation and utilisation of resources, and avoidance of harm.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes safe and professional chiropractic research:

  • Is ethically and objectively funded.
  • Meets legal requirements and is subject to robust governance processes.
  • Protects the rights and dignity of research participants.

Quality, Safety and Professionalism in Education

The following explains what we mean by quality, safety and professionalism in relation to chiropractic education.

Quality in chiropractic education refers to the high quality and fit for purpose undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education programmes expected by learners.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes quality chiropractic education:

  • Is accessible, inclusive and engaging.
  • Is fully compliant with professional requirements and standards, including those defined by regulatory and accrediting bodies.
  • Is competency-based, effecting positive change in knowledge, skills and behaviours.
  • Is focused on contemporary, evidence-based chiropractic practice.
  • Helps enable students and professionals develop as self-directed, lifelong learners.
  • Supports learners in their professional development, enabling them to provide care and services that meet the needs and expectations of patients.

The Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) believes safe and professional chiropractic education:

Safety and professionalism in chiropractic education refers to the effectiveness and accountability of educators.

  • Is facilitated by competent educators from a range of health and care disciplines.
  • Is delivered in safe and conducive environments.
  • Is accountable to stakeholders for the optimal use of resources and the delivery of the intended educational services.