Physio fined for treatment after ban
A Christchurch physiotherapist has been fined $27,000 for treating female patients after he was banned from doing so.
Peter Chum was barred from treating female patients after the Physiotherapy Board New Zealand (PBNZ) investigated a serious complaint about him in 2016. The details of that complaint were suppressed.
Following that decision, Chum saw another 14 female patients for musculoskeletal treatments.
A Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal decision released this week said Chum must pay a fine of $2000 and costs of $25,000.
If Chum, whose practising certificate has since expired, was to resume working he would also be required to practice under supervision for 18 months and attend an ethics and professional responsibilities course.
His practice, Performers Choice Physiotherapy, claims to specialise in the health and wellbeing of performing artists.
The original complaint was referred to the Health and Disability Commissioner, but the commissioner had not released a decision at the time of the tribunal’s May hearing.
The tribunal decided it was not necessary to cancel or suspend Chum’s ability to practice.
Its decision dealt with only the noncompliance.
Chum let his practising certificate lapse in April and the tribunal decision said there was a ‘‘question of whether he wishes to practise as a physiotherapist’’.
This meant any ban might not act as a deterrent or penalty.
Chum did not appear at the hearing and did not put forward any defence.
‘‘This was a case of deliberate offending over the course of a month; and that there is no evidence or assurance from Mr Chum about remorse or insight,’’ the decision said.
Chum declined to comment for this article.