Sydney chiropractor Paul Stinson handed 18-month ban for sexually touching client at Chatswood clinic

A Sydney chiropractor will be banned from working in the profession for at least 18 months after an investigation found he inappropriately touched a patient’s breast and other intimate areas at a north shore clinic.

A Sydney chiropractor will be banned from working in the profession for at least 18 months after an investigation found he inappropriately touched a patient’s breast and other intimate areas at a north shore clinic.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal imposed the penalty on Paul Stinson following a Health Care Complaints Commission probe into his treatment of a female client at Chatswood Village Chiropractic between 2019 and 2020.

The tribunal found that Mr Stinson inappropriately touched a patient’s breast and genitalia when it was not clinically required.

The tribunal heard the female client later sent a text message to Mr Stinson saying she had “not (felt) comfortable with the massage” and that Mr Stinson had “taken advantage” of her medical health condition.

Mr Stinson responded with a text claiming “I really did not know you were uncomfortable” and that he “was only focused on releasing a muscle, nothing else”.

A police investigation into the incidents resulted in Mr Stinson being charged with three sexual touching offences. He was convicted on the charges in 2021 and sentenced to an 18 months community corrections order.

Mr Stinson worked at the Chatswood clinic at the time of the misconduct.

The tribunal found Mr Stinson failed to notify the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency of the convictions under mandatory disclosure requirements.

He also failed to notify the board of traffic offence convictions for failing to stop at a red light and driving under the influence of alcohol (first offence) in 2020.

The Chiropractic Council of NSW suspended his registration in November 2020,

Mr Stinson’s conduct was investigated by the Health Care Complaints Commission.

A psychologist report presented to the tribunal stated Mr Stinson had taken “responsibility for his offending behaviour” and was also able to recognise that his professional boundaries with his clients “were too laxed”.

The tribunal heard Mr Stinson acknowledged that he had violated the patient, diminished himself as a chiropractor and undermined the chiropractic profession as a whole

Mr Stinson, who owned the clinic at the time of the misconduct, expressed an openness to attend seminars, training, and further treatment sessions in relation to maintaining professional boundaries.

The tribunal, in its decision on Wednesday, found Mr Stinson guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct.

The tribunal said it was “seriously troubled by the fact that there are multiple offences even though perpetrated against the same victim.”

“In addition, it is clear that over the lengthy period when (the conduct) took place (Mr Stinson) was definitely aware of his wrongdoing and refrained from acting in this way,” the tribunal added.

The tribunal cancelled Mr Stinson’s registration and imposed a non-review period of 18 months.

The tribunal also made an order prohibiting Mr Stinson from providing any health services for 18 months.