Osteopath to face charges

An osteopath will face a disciplinary tribunal after allegedly massaging a woman’s breast to treat a toothache.

The Christchurch practitioner could have his registration cancelled after the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand (OCNZ) professional conduct committee (PCC) found it had grounds to lay charges.

A five-month investigation started when the woman complained to OCNZ, the Health and Disability Commissioner and police following the October 7 consultation.

OCNZ registrar Andrew Charnock could not say what the charges would be or what they related to.

‘‘The professional conduct committee will draw up the charges and a solicitor or a barrister will be appointed to prosecute on [its] behalf,’’ Charnock said.

It could be ‘‘quite a few months’’ before the case went before a Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal hearing, he said.

Tribunal senior executive officer Gay Fraser said the heaviest punishment a practitioner could face was deregistration. The tribunal could suspend the practitioner’s registration for up to three years, enforce practising conditions for up to three years, order a fine up to $30,000 and censure the person.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey said police investigated the woman’s complaint but decided not to lay charges.

In October, the female patient told The Press she saw the osteopath after her dentist advised her the toothache was caused by muscle tension.

The woman alleged the osteopath massaged her breast, through her clothes, for almost an hour, causing swelling and severe pain. ‘‘I felt very uncomfortable but his words were reassuring and sounded legitimate. I told myself my discomfort was because I was just old fashioned and that I should stop being silly.’’