Your first appointment gives me time to understand what's been happening and what you would like to get back to doing.

We'll discuss your symptoms, general health, medical history, lifestyle and activity before carrying out an appropriate physical assessment.

This may include looking at your:

• movement and mobility

• strength and balance

• joints and muscles

• neurological function where appropriate

• movements or activities relevant to your symptoms or goals

You may be asked to remove or adjust some clothing to allow an appropriate examination, but this will always be discussed with you first. You are welcome to wear comfortable clothing such as shorts, leggings or a vest top or sports bra.

I'll explain what I find and discuss the options with you before we decide on a plan together.

Depending on your needs, this may include osteopathic treatment, rehabilitation exercises, strength work, mobility, education and practical advice.

Treatment will only take place with your consent.

Your involvement in decisions about your care is important.

Before examination or treatment, I will explain what I am proposing, why I think it may be useful and any relevant benefits, risks or alternatives.

You are always free to:

• ask questions

• decline any part of an assessment or treatment

• ask me to stop at any point

• change your mind after previously giving consent

Consent is an ongoing process rather than something that happens only at your first appointment.

Some assessments or treatments may involve areas where additional sensitivity or privacy is appropriate. These will always be explained beforehand and specific consent obtained.

You are welcome to bring a friend, relative or other appropriate person to your appointment as a chaperone.

Where a chaperone, student or observer is present, your consent will be obtained and documented. This reflects GOsC requirements around consent and clinical records.

I want you to feel comfortable raising a concern if something hasn't met your expectations.

Where possible, please speak to me first. Many concerns can be resolved quickly through an open conversation.

If you would prefer to make a formal complaint, please contact:

Sandy Rowe
Stryde Osteopathy Limited
Email: sandy@strydeosteopathy.uk

Please include enough information for me to understand your concern and how you would like it to be addressed.

I will acknowledge your complaint, investigate it fairly and aim to respond as promptly as possible. If more time is needed, I will let you know.

If your complaint concerns osteopathic care and you do not feel it has been satisfactorily resolved, you may contact the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) for further information about its complaints and fitness-to-practise process.

General Osteopathic Council – concerns and complaints

GOsC requires registered osteopaths to have a complaints policy, provide patients with information about how to complain and explain that complaints can be referred to the GOsC where appropriate.

Stryde Osteopathy Limited collects and processes personal information so that I can provide safe and appropriate healthcare and related services.

This may include:

Personal information
Your name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address and emergency contact information.

Health information

Your medical history, symptoms, medications, diagnoses, examination findings, treatment, rehabilitation plans and other information relevant to your care.

Health information receives additional protection as special-category data under UK data-protection law.

Appointment and financial information

Appointment history, invoices, payments and relevant transaction information.

How your information is used

Your information may be used to:

provide and manage your care; maintain clinical records; communicate with you about appointments or treatment; process payments; communicate with other healthcare professionals where appropriate; meet professional, insurance, safeguarding and legal obligations; and operate and improve the practice.

I only collect and use information that is reasonably necessary for these purposes.

Sharing your information

Your information will not be sold.

Information may be shared with another healthcare professional where this is necessary for your care and there is an appropriate lawful basis. Where consent is required, I will discuss this with you first.

Information may also need to be disclosed where there is a legal obligation or a serious safeguarding or public-safety concern.

GOsC requires osteopaths to disclose only the information necessary when sharing confidential patient information.

Software and service providers

Stryde may use secure third-party services to manage areas such as:

• appointments and clinical records

• payments

• exercise and rehabilitation programmes

• secure communications

• AI-assisted clinical documentation

These providers may process information on behalf of Stryde Osteopathy and are selected with privacy, security and data-protection requirements in mind.

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Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, data-protection law gives you rights relating to your personal information, including accessing information held about you and requesting that inaccurate information is corrected.

You can contact:

sandy@strydeosteopathy.uk

For further information about your data-protection rights, visit the Information Commissioner's Office.

Information Commissioner's Office

The ICO recommends that healthcare privacy notices clearly explain what information is collected, why it is used, the relevant lawful bases and individuals' data-protection rights.

Accurate clinical records are maintained as part of your care.

These may include your medical history, assessment findings, working diagnosis, treatment plan, consent, treatment provided, rehabilitation advice, correspondence and your response to treatment. This reflects the information GOsC expects registered osteopaths to record.

Records are stored securely and access is restricted appropriately.

In accordance with current GOsC guidance, patient records are normally retained for a minimum of eight years following the last consultation.

For children, records are retained until at least their 25th birthday.

Appropriate arrangements will be made for the secure retention, transfer or disposal of records if Stryde Osteopathy closes or I am no longer able to practise.

You may request access to your records by contacting:

sandy@strydeosteopathy.uk

I understand that plans sometimes change.

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please give at least 24 hours' notice.

Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed appointments, may be charged at the full appointment fee.

I appreciate that genuine emergencies and unexpected circumstances happen, and these can be considered individually.

If I need to cancel your appointment, I will give you as much notice as reasonably possible and arrange another appointment.

The safety and wellbeing of patients is important to Stryde Osteopathy.

If I have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, I have a professional responsibility to respond appropriately.

Where possible, I will discuss concerns with you before sharing information.

However, there may be circumstances where information needs to be shared without consent if there is a legal requirement or a significant concern about someone's safety.

Only information that is relevant and necessary will be shared.

Emergency situations

Stryde Osteopathy is not an emergency medical service.

If you believe you or somebody else is experiencing a medical emergency, call 999 or attend the appropriate emergency service.

By booking an appointment with Stryde Osteopathy, you agree to the practice's appointment and cancellation terms.

Treatment and rehabilitation are based on individual assessment and clinical judgement.

Healthcare outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Your response to treatment and rehabilitation will depend on many individual factors.

You remain responsible for deciding whether to follow advice or participate in exercises outside appointments. Please contact me if your symptoms change significantly or you are unsure whether an exercise remains appropriate.

Osteopathic care does not replace appropriate medical investigation or emergency care. Where necessary, I may recommend that you speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.

Fees applicable at the time of booking will be clearly displayed or communicated before treatment.

Information on this website is provided for general information and education.

It should not be considered an individual diagnosis or substitute for assessment by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Information about exercises, conditions and rehabilitation is general in nature. What is appropriate for one person may not be appropriate for another.

While I aim to keep the website accurate and up to date, healthcare information develops over time and I cannot guarantee that every piece of information will remain current indefinitely.

Content on this website belongs to Stryde Osteopathy Limited unless otherwise stated and should not be reproduced commercially without permission.

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