Claiming to be physiotherapist leads to fine

A British immigrant has been ordered to pay a fine after pleading guilty to misrepresenting himself as a physiotherapist and osteopath.

The Auckland District Court yesterday ordered Jonathon Steven Mann to pay $900 in fines after he pleaded guilty to 17 counts during an 18-month period when he treated unsuspecting patients around Auckland.

The Health Ministry launched an investigation after receiving a complaint in July 2008 from the Registrar of the Physiotherapy Board, culminating in the charges.

Mann told clients he was registered as a physiotherapist in New Zealand, and performing activities including spinal manipulations which can only be carried out by qualified practitioners under New Zealand regulations.

"There is a significant risk of permanent injury or death if HVLA manipulation is applied incorrectly," the Ministry said.

A Ministry witness noted that "for an unqualified person to hold themselves out as a qualified and registered physiotherapist and to practice physiotherapy on patients presents obvious risks to the health and safety of those patients."

The Ministry's Chief Legal Advisor, Phil Knipe, said the size of the fine was decided in consideration of Mann's present financial circumstances and did not represent the seriousness of his offence.

"There are obvious risks to health and safety in dealing with unqualified and unlicensed persons who claim to be health practitioners," he said.