A descriptive account of the development of an osteopathic service within a hospital HIV day care centre

Abstract 

The Ian Charleson Day Centre Osteopathic Clinic is a unique provision of osteopathic care by The British School of Osteopathy within the setting of a hospital outpatient facility for patients with HIV-infection. It also represents a unique collaboration between a UK osteopathic education provider and a hospital trust. Educational and clinical aims of the service are described along with an outline of its development and implementation. A descriptive summary of audit figures is provided giving an outline of the clinic population. Finally, financial and structural barriers and the importance of establishing cost-effectiveness are explored and the educational value of such a service discussed.

Keywords: Osteopathy, Osteopathic education, HIV-infection, Service development, National Health Service, United Kingdom, Hospital