The Nolan Principles of public life

In performing our statutory duties, members of the GCC must uphold the following seven principles of public life (the Nolan principles) This is what we were told during our training. I wanted to ask why the old council members had not seen them
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Appendix I
Competencies for the chairmen and members of the Council’s regulatory committees
Introduction
In order for the Council, the public, and the profession to feel confident in the consistency in investigation, hearing and determination of complaints against chiropractors, it is necessary to have clear benchmarks for the effective performance of chairs and members of the Investigating, Professional Conduct and Health Committees. The following competencies have been developed to serve as those benchmarks.
Definition of competency
A competency is a statement that reflects a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes designed to depict what an individual needs for effective performance of a particular role.
Competency levels
Each competency is divided into elements, which are described at two levels.
Level One applies to all members of the Council’s regulatory committees (including those chairing the respective committees).
In addition to Level One, Level Two applies specifically to individuals chairing the above committees.
Competency types
1 Application of relevant legislation
2 Understanding of committee function in providing expertise in public protection
3 Working in a collaborative and professional manner
4 Reaching decisions fairly
5 Communication and conduct during hearing
6 Leadership of the committee and proceedings
COMPETENCY 1 : APPLICATION OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Level One
1.1 Demonstrates knowledge of, and adherence with, the legal and procedural frameworks which govern the functions of the committee
1.2 Participates in balanced decision making, based on the elicited facts and taking account of any relevant guidance produced for registrants
1.3 Formulates clearly reasoned decisions based upon the legislative framework and relevant documents published by the Council
_____________________________________________________________________
Level Two
1.4 Refers to Legal Assessor for legal and/or procedural advice where applicable and appropriate
1.5 Ensures that the committee remains focused upon the key issues
COMPETENCY 2 : UNDERSTANDS COMMITTEE FUNCTION IN PUBLIC PROTECTION AND FAIR HEARINGS
Level One
2.1 Displays an understanding of allegations and seeks appropriate points of clarification
2.2 Asks fair and relevant questions in relation to the allegations and evidence presented
2.3 Uses personal and clinical expertise to explore issues in relation to allegations, inform questions and discussion
_____________________________________________________________________
Level Two
2.4 Ensures that all of the committee members are given the opportunity to address relevant questions and, where necessary, to share information and ideas
COMPETENCY 3 : WORKING IN A COLLABORATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER
Level One
3.1 Treats all people with equal respect
3.2 Upholds confidentiality and remains discreet at all times
3.3 Demonstrates a calm and non-confrontational manner, even in the face of provocation
3.4 Shows a willingness to give and receive constructive feedback and to learn from others
3.5 Shows appropriate concern for distressed parties and witnesses
3.6 Makes fair and effective use of adjournments and best use of available resources
3.7 Demonstrates at all times a level of sensitivity which reflects the serious nature of proceedings
_____________________________________________________________________
Level Two
3.8 Draws upon the maximum contribution of individual committee members and Legal Assessor
3.9 Appropriately challenges discriminatory views
3.10 Gains the confidence of all parties
COMPETENCY 4 : REACHING DECISIONS FAIRLY
Level One
4.1 Actively and constructively participates in decision making, observing the rules of evidence
4.2 Provides comprehensive reasons for outcomes
4.3 Accepts responsibility for decisions reached
_____________________________________________________________________
Level Two
4.4 Guides the committee through each stage of the decision making process
4.5 Makes sure discussion in retiring room is purposeful and relevant
4.6 Ensures all procedures are observed and that decisions are reached by vote
4.7 Delivers the committee’s decision and reasons in a clear, concise, authoritative and timely manner
COMPETENCY 5 : COMMUNICATION AND CONDUCT DURING HEARING
Level One
5.1 Listens attentively to all parties
5.2 Accurately and concisely records relevant points from written or oral evidence and subsequent discussion
5.3 Asks fair and pertinent questions confidently using plain language
5.4 Exhibits impartial facial expression, body language and gestures
_____________________________________________________________________
Level Two
5.5 Clearly explains procedures to all parties, and specifies what is expected during and after the proceedings
5.6 Together with legal assessor provides guidance to respondents, particularly when unrepresented
COMPETENCY 6: LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE AND PROCEEDINGS
Level Two
6.1 Establishes rapport with committee members in an authoritative, open and participative style
6.2 Clearly explains procedures to all parties, and specifies what is expected during and after the proceedings
6.3 Maintains firm and effective control
6.4 Provides sufficient opportunity for all of the committee to address relevant questions and express individual opinions
6.5 Intervenes when there is inappropriate behaviour of any committee member, representative, respondent or member of the public
6.6 Reviews practices and procedures and reports areas for improvement
6.7 Provides constructive feedback to the appropriate members of Council staff
6.8 Participates in training of new panellists and members
6.9 Manages the unexpected

Richard Lanigan
Richard Lanigan

Richard Lanigan DC.BSc (Chiro) MSc( Health Promotion) was born in North London 1957 of Irish Parents and was educated in Ireland. Originally trained as a PE teacher, he moved to Denmark 1979, where a serious knee injury got him interested in rehabilitation and training methods. Richard founded Denmarks premier fitness centre "Sweat Shop" in 1982 and travelled all over the world to find how best to prepare athletes for competition. In 1984 he became fitness and rehab consultant to the Danish national badminton teams, handball teams and many football club sides. This approach to optimal performance is normal in 2010, however back in the early 80s it was very revolutionary, when stretching was limited to putting on your socks and knee injuries were immobilised for months in plaster.
Richard developed rehabilitation and fitness programmes for many of Denmark’s top athletes including Kirsten Larsten and Ib Frederickson, all England singles badminton champions in late 80s. "Team Denmark" hired him and his facilities to help prepare many of Denmarks athletes for the LA and Seoul Olympics. In 1990 he worked with Anya Anderson, Olympic gold medallist and voted worlds best female handball player at the Atlanta Olympics.
Richard advised Copenhagen’s main teaching (Rigs) Hospital on starting their rehab facility in 1984. In the same year he started working with Denmarks leading chiropractor; Ole Wessung DC, who demonstrated the effectiveness of Chiropractic in improving athletic performance, so impressed was Richard that in 1990 he moved back to England to study chiropractic at Anglo European College of Chiropractic and was student president for two years between 1993-1995.

Richard was awarded a fellowship by the College of Chiropractors in 2008, however in January 2009 Richard chose to stop using the title chiropractor in the UK because the British regulatory body for chiropractic (The GCC) had not maintained international standards of chiropractic education in the UK and including prescribing medicines in the chiropractic scope of practice, a fig leaf for incompetent UK chiropractors to hide behind. Richard has another clinic in Dublin and is a member of the Chiropractic Association of Ireland and the European Chiropractic Union.
Richard has four children Eloise aged 3, Molly and Isabelle aged five and the eldest Frederik aged twenty one is pursuing a career as a professional tennis player and has represented Norway in the Davis Cup in 2006 & 2007. None of Richards children have ever taken any medicine, www.vaccination.co.uk they eat healthy food, take lots of exercise and have their spines checked every month, www.familychiropractic.co.uk
Richard has had much experience working in the Cuban health service where Doctors are keen to incorporate drug free interventions (acupuncture and chiropractic) and prevention in their health care programmes www.henryreevebrigade.org

Articles: 238