Osteopath who abused patients stripped of credentials

Richard Davis

A former Gisborne osteopath who sexually abused some of his patients has lost his credentials, been censured and has ordered to pay more than $10,000 by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

Richard James Davis was jailed for eight years in October last year after being found guilty of 15 sexual connection and indecent assault charges against eight of his patients.

In March this year he pleaded guilty to seven more sexual offending charges.

The offending, which occurred between June 2006 and November 2011, involved Davis' patients he was treating at his Gisborne osteopath practice. One victim was 13.

During sentencing in the High Court at Wellington, Justice David Collins said Davis' offending was premeditated, not spontaneous and involved calculated decisions.

In a recently released decision, the tribunal said sexual offending against patients would always be regarded as "morally, ethically and professionally repugnant".

"Registration as a health practitioner is a privilege which carries with it obligations to act in a way which is in compliance with the standards expected of those who practise as registered health practitioners."

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), which brought the case to the tribunal, said Davis' offending breached the trust of vulnerable patients who had placed a high level of trust in him to conduct himself professionally.

The tribunal ordered Davis' registration to be cancelled and that he be censured.

Should Davis obtain his registration in the future, he would have conditions imposed upon him for three years, including not being able to work in a sole practice, and accepting and paying for supervision by another registered osteopath.

Davis was also ordered to pay $6900 in respect of the costs and disbursements of the tribunal and $3635 in respect of the costs and disbursements of the PCC.