Physio who sent nude pictures to patient suspended
Woman says life ‘left in ruins’ after affair
A woman says her “life is in ruins” after her physiotherapist sent her naked photos of himself during a four-month affair. Kyle Blackburn, who worked at Kent Sports Injury and Physiotherapy Clinic in Maidstone, has now been suspended for six months. A Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service hearing was told how, what started as flirty messages, allegedly spiralled into a sexual relationship at the Cayser Drive clinic. It started when the woman contacted Mr Blackburn about an injury. At the first two sessions the patient discussed her personal life and Mr Blackburn, a former Kent Police occupational physiotherapist, confessed he “fancied” her.
They kissed after another session and the relationship spiralled into a more physical one by around their fifth meeting.
Mr Blackburn gave evidence insisting: “We never engaged in sexual activity during a clinic session. We always met following appointments, which was my lunch break.”
The affair continued for four months, until the patient’s partner found out.
In the hearing the patient said Mr Blackburn sent 10 photos of himself naked and that after “a lot of coercion” she reciprocated. She also said at times she felt “controlled”.
Mr Blackburn knew what he was doing was unprofessional, the panel heard.
The patient said: “He told me to delete all the WhatsApp messages between us, which I did. If anyone ever found out about what was going on between us, he would lose his job.”
She added: “Little did I know that my life would be in ruins. “This is not what I wanted or asked for. My life has been devastated by these events. My life is over.”
The panel did consider striking Mr Blackburn off but settled on a suspension as he was taking steps to remedy his behaviour. However, the patient’s family said the judgment was not harsh enough. One relative said: “He has got away with murder by not being struck off, given the damage he has caused.
“The restrictions imposed on him suggest the panel was not convinced that he does appreciate the gravity of what he has done and would not repeat it.”
‘My life has been devastated by these events. My life’s over’