Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Rose Wall today released a report finding a chiropractor in breach of the Code
of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for entering into a sexual relationship with a female
patient.
The woman sought treatment from the chiropractor. A sexual relationship then developed between them, spanning two and a
half years. During this time, the chiropractor continued to provide chiropractic services to the woman and members of
her family, and did not seek advice from either his colleagues or his professional body about his professional and
ethical obligations.
The Chiropractic Board Code of Ethics states that chiropractors have a responsibility to be familiar with the Board’s
Code and comply with its standards. It states that a chiropractor cannot have a sexual relationship with a patient
unless that patient is the chiropractor’s spouse or partner.
Deputy Commissioner Rose Wall considered that by entering into and continuing a sexual relationship with the woman while
providing her with chiropractic treatment, the chiropractor failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and
comply with the ethical standards set out in the Chiropractic Board Code of Ethics. Accordingly, she found that the
chiropractor breached the Code.
"The maintenance of professional boundaries is an integral part of the provision of health services, and its importance
in the provider-consumer relationship cannot be emphasised strongly enough," said Ms Wall. "I consider that [the
chiropractor’s] conduct, specifically his entering into a sexual relationship with his patient, did not comply with his
professional and ethical obligations and crossed professional boundaries and ethical standards."
The Deputy Commissioner recommended that the chiropractor establish a six-month mentoring and continuing education plan
with the New Zealand Chiropractic Board, in relation to its Code of Ethics and with an emphasis on professional
boundaries. She also recommended that the New Zealand Chiropractic Board consider this complaint and whether further
action is warranted.
The chiropractor is to be referred to the Director of Proceedings.
The full report for case 19HDC01074 is available on the HDC website.