Healthcare watchdog blacklists predator masseur and fake doctor

A 75-year-old massage therapist convicted of rape has been banned from ever working as a healthcare provider again.

A dodgy massage therapist has been convicted of rape and a fake cosmetic doctor banned from ever working as a healthcare provider again by Victoria’s healthcare watchdog.

Berwick mobile masseur Michael Sergides remains in custody after being found guilty of one count of rape and sexual assault in the County Court following an investigation by Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner.

Sergides, 75, was banned from running his mobile business in 2018 amid concerns he posed a risk to the public, before it was later revealed claims that he assaulted a female client during a massage had been levelled against him.

Disgraced masseur Michael Sergides was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

The conviction comes after the Herald Sun revealed almost 100 complaints of rape, sexual misconduct and unsafe practices had been lodged against Victorian massage therapists in the past four years.

Health complaints commissioner Karen Cusack said Victorians’ safety was at the forefront of her investigation and the decision to bar Sergides from operating his business called Mobile Just Massage.

“I do not make prohibition orders lightly, but where unsafe or unethical general health service providers pose a risk to the Victorian public, then I will take action,” Ms Cusack said.

“This conviction reinforces how important our work is when we see unethical and unsafe health service providers being held accountable for unlawful actions.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency has taken action against Wheelers Hill woman Aliaa Mohammed Elmetwally Ismaeil Sherif after she pretended to be a doctor and haematologist, a specialist doctor that treats blood-related conditions such as leukaemia and haemophilia.

Aliaa Mohammed Elmetwally Ismaeil Sherif posed as a haematologist and administered cosmetic injectables without a license.

Sherif was also banned from working as a healthcare provider in Victoria after it was revealed she not only administered prescription drugs and injectables while unlicensed, but had never been registered with the Medical Board of Australia as a practitioner.

“All general health service providers providing services in Victoria must adhere to the code of conduct set out in the Health Complaints Act 2016, as well as complying with other legal obligations such as the National Law,” Ms Cusack said.

Under the Health Complaints Act, a general health service provider cannot administer treatments outside of their training and qualifications.

Ms Cusack implored people with concerns about services they had received to report them to the Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113.

@byoliviajenkins