Chiropractor Dr Simon Floreani suspended and gagged for anti-vaccine promotion

A controversial chiropractor who once sprouted a keen anti-vax stance has vowed to just stick to treating back and spine issues.

Controversial chiropractor Dr Simon Floreani fronted VCAT. Instagram.

A controversial Melbourne chiropractor who promoted anti-vaccination material which included an appearance on a “Nazi” vaccine show has been reprimanded and gagged.

Dr Simon Floreani told VCAT he won’t again stray from his field of expertise – spine and nervous system – as the panel found his anti-vaccination stance amounted to professional misconduct.

The tribunal found the chiropractor’s anti-vax stance “presented a risk to public health”.

“In the face of the evidence before us, we had no doubt that a health practitioner expressing views of the kind in issue … presented a risk to public health and discourse,” the tribunal found.

“The underlying scepticism towards science continues to be potentially damaging and likely to bring the profession into disrepute.”

Dr Floreani fell foul of the tribunal after he screened anti-vaccination film Vaxxed at his Middle Park clinic in 2016.

Dr Floreani had his licence suspended for about six weeks in September 2017 for the screening but the Chiropractic Board of Australia appealed the light sanction to the tribunal.

Marion Isobel, for the board, said her organisation started cracking down on chiropractors stepping outside their primary role as healthcare practitioners.

She said the board had made it clear promoting anti-vaccination went against its code of conduct and any such material should be removed from clinics.

Dr Floreani in action.

Ms Isobel said Dr Floreani was interviewed by US anti-vaxxer and chiropractor Dr Billy Demoss, which was published as Nazi Vaccine Regime in Australia in on YouTube in November 2016 – it still remains online.

She said Dr Floreani had admitted to knowing the Board’s position on chiropractors promoting the anti-vaccination message and material.

Ms Isobel said the chiropractor had previously been cautioned by the board in 2014 for the presence of child anti- vaccine material in his clinic waiting room.

He was also cautioned again in 2019 after material was published on his website suggesting homoeopathy could be used in lieu of traditional vaccines.

“He knew the promotion of such material was contrary to the board’s position,” Ms Isobel said.

Ms Isobel said a clear message need to be sent to the public that the profession doesn’t tolerate a chiropractor who makes public statements equating vaccines to poisons, discourages vaccinations or promotes anti-vaccination material.

“The message needs to be the profession will not tolerate chiropractors who intentionally, knowingly and repeatedly breach the code of conduct and standards set by the board,” she said.

Ms Isobel said Dr Floreani was at risk of doing this again and it wasn’t the first time he had been dealt with by the regulator.

Dr Floreani told the tribunal he wouldn’t do it again, would “stay in his lane” and stick to doing what he was good at.

“It’s not my bag, domain, turf,” Dr Floreani said.

“I’m really good at what I do which is correction of spines.”

The tribunal reprimanded Dr Floreani and suspended him for six months

Dr Floreani, who also caused controversy after videos appeared on Instagram of him cracking babies’ backs, was also ordered to not to make public comment nor provide any advice to patient regarding anti-vaccine views.

“We consider that a suspension is required to protect the standing of the profession in the community so that the public may be confident that chiropractors are not on the fringes on serious matters, such as the need for vaccination of children and adults,” the tribunal found.

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