World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) International Board of Governors member, Matt Flanagan, D.C., has been elected to serve on the General Chiropractic Council in the United Kingdom.

Election results were announced on May 20, 2002. Eleven chiropractors campaigned for seven seats in the England constituency. Dr. Flanagan captured 20% of the first preference votes (153 votes) gaining a margin of 41 votes over the next candidate (112 votes).

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) is a UK-wide statutory body with regulatory powers, established by the Chiropractors Act of 1994.

It is charged with protecting the public, maintaining educational standards, and overseeing the development and promotion of the profession in the United Kingdom. Since June 14, 2001 the title of "chiropractor" has been protected by law and it is a criminal offense, liable to prosecution, to describe oneself as any sort of chiropractor without being registered with the GCC.

As part of his election campaign, Flanagan sent out more than 1,000 surveys to chiropractors in England covering all major issues. He received some 250 written responses to the survey and the results were posted to the profession in advance of the election.

Flanagan had proposed that the GCC adopt the Association of Chiropractic Colleges' (ACC) "chiropractic paradigm" rather than the World Federation of Chiropractic 1999 definition. Survey results indicated more than 72% of the profession wanted to change the GCC definition to the more inclusive ACC definition.

His other key election platform proposals included:

*** Consultation with the profession as part of regular constituency forums.

*** Unity with diversity.

*** Reappraisal of registration fees.

*** Financial accountability and transparency using formalized budgeting procedures (including prospective spending allocations).

*** Active promotion of the profession to the public.

*** Reciprocity with CCE-accredited colleges.

*** Review of the structure of the investigation committee's processing of complaints against chiropractors.

In association with the Joint Chiropractic Committee, Flanagan was involved in election forums throughout the country prior to the election.

"A great deal of time and effort was given by many different people to put us in a position where we have five subluxation-based chiropractors on the Council," Flanagan stated. "We are now looking at a very exciting future for chiropractic in the UK and once again opening the doors to internationally trained chiropractors. The cross-fertilisation of ideas and philosophies from all over the world will be essential to the technical and philosophical evolution of chiropractic in the UK."

In addition, he explained that, "the work is just beginning and with a five-year tenure on the Council there will be great opportunities to advance subluxation-based chiropractic in the world."

Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance said he was pleased that Flanagan will be serving on the Council.

"Dr. Flanagan has long showed himself to have the highest level of dedication and professionalism. I know the people of the United Kingdom, and the chiropractic profession, will be well served by him," he said. "As WCA board members take on increasingly important leadership positions throughout the world, they will help safeguard subluxation-based chiropractic for doctors serving patients now, and for future generations of D.C.s."