Teenbec chiropractor David John Williams guilty of treating patients while suspended: Ringwood Court

A dodgy church-loving chiropractor, who was suspended after it was discovered he was in a relationship with a patient, continued to practise despite being unregistered.

A dodgy church-loving chiropractor, who was suspended after it was discovered he was in a relationship with a patient, continued to practise despite being unregistered.

David John Williams, 72, pleaded guilty to practising as an unregistered healthcare provider at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday — the second time he had been caught doing so within 15 years.

He had been suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) more than a year before it was discovered he was still treating patients through his company Teenbec Pty Ltd, trading at the clinic Croydon Sports Injury and Spinal Clinic.

The clinic has since come under new ownership and Williams is no longer associated with the business.

Williams — a former dux of Luther College Croydon — treated 16 patients over the 16 months he was suspended, making 544 claims and issuing invoices amounting to more than $60,000.

Chiropractor David Williams was sentenced and convicted at Ringwood Magistrates' Court on Friday. Picture: Himangi Singh

He also treated patients claiming work cover claims and patients who claimed private health rebates.

The 72-year-old’s lawyer Beth Marsh told the court the chiropractor had provided treatment to patients for nearly 50 years before his suspension.

Ms Marsh said Williams’ was “devoted” to his work and had “built a self-identity” as a chiropractor providing “essential service in Croydon.”

“He was suspended, and upon suspension, he should have put the tools down, but that didn’t happen,” she said.

“He continued seeing patients, who were mostly pre-existing. In his mind, he prioritised to provide the same service.”

The court heard Williams continued his practice because he believed his “patients come first” “regardless of what APHRA says”.

“He has a long history as a chiropractor, and it was difficult for him to come to terms with losing his self-identity because of embarrassment,” Ms Marsh told the court.

“This is not a classic greed (matter) despite the financial gain. He accepts the responsibility falls on him,” Ms Marsh said.

She said he was “very much a local man”, having lived in Croydon all his life, and was significantly involved with his church.

Ms Marsh said her client was in the “sunset of his career” and had no “real prospect of returning to work”.

“(Williams’ offending) was wrong, it was a mistake, and yes, it was a grave one,” Ms Marsh said, submitting a fine would suffice for punishment.

However, AHPRA lawyer Michael Tsiavlis said the former chiropractor’s “excuse” for prioritising patient care was unacceptable.

“It was a greed-motivated offending,” he said.

Mr Tsiavlis said chiropractic work was risky due to services like spine adjustments and working while unregistered meant insurance wouldn’t cover any potential injuries.

The prosecutor said even though there were no incidents of harm recorded by the disgraced chiro’s patients the risk was still “quite high”.

“We are fortunate no harm was caused,” he said.

He said the fact Williams had continued to practice for 16 months after being suspended, and despite a cease-and-desist notice, showed the case was serious.

He also refused to provide AHPRA with patient records and information when requested.

In a separate incident to Friday’s hearing, Williams had let his registration lapse in 2010, and was asked not to practice, but was caught treating an undercover AHPRA agent.

Magistrate Jason Ong said Williams’ conduct was a “gross breach of trust”, punishable by a maximum fine of $60,000 or three years imprisonment, or both.

“Despite you knowing that your registration was suspended, the very next day, you continued providing chiropractic treatment,” he said.

“It is apparent that you simply ignored the suspension … your conduct posed a clear risk to the public.”

Mr Ong said the public needed to have confidence in the safety of services provided by registered health practitioners and the community was entitled to trust practitioners and the healthcare system.

“You have put vulnerable members of the public who need medical care at risk. Your conduct diminishes the public’s trust and confidence in the healthcare system,” he said.

In convicting Williams, Mr Ong said he needed to deter others from committing similar behaviour.

“I must send a message to you that such behaviour cannot be tolerated and the court denounces your behaviour,” he said.

Williams was placed on a 12-month community correctional program, and ordered to pay $15000 for AHPRA’s legal fees.

Williams’ company was also convicted and fined $8000.

Dodgy chiro David John Williams charged $60k in appointments he worked while suspended. Picture: Generic.

In a statement released after the hearing, AHPRA acting chief executive Mark Edwards said Williams’ conduct had “undermined public safety”.

“Practising while suspended undermines public safety and risks damaging the faith people have in registered health practitioners to provide safe, quality healthcare,” Mr Edwards said.

Chiropractic Board of Australia chair Wayne Minter said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offence.

“Registration is not optional, and neither is suspension,” Dr Minter said.

“This is an important reminder that a person cannot hold themselves out as a chiropractor, or as any other registered health practitioner, unless they are entitled to do so.”