Queensland Health Ombudsman issues second-ever public safety warning over David Zhen

Queensland’s Health Ombudsman has issued a rare public warning, urging patients of a banned South East Queensland practitioner to seek immediate medical advice due to serious safety risks of his “dangerous and ineffective” treatments.

A waterfront home at Ormiston which is registered under the name David Zhen. Picture: Google Maps

Queensland’s Health Ombudsman has issued a rare public warning urging anyone who has received treatment from a Redland-based practitioner to seek immediate medical advice, citing serious safety concerns.

The alert centres on Ormiston man David Zhen, also known as Tai Hui Qing and Qing Jong, who operated under the business name H2OMASSAGE.

The Office of the Health Ombudsman alleges Mr Zhen treated patients using unsafe and ineffective methods that could pose a serious risk to their health.

The OHO alleges Mr Zhen claimed to treat and cure serious illnesses, discouraged patients from pursuing conventional medical care, and failed to maintain appropriate infection control procedures.

In a statement released this week, Health Ombudsman Dr Lynne Coulson Barr said the warning applied to anyone who has received services from Mr Zhen, “either before or after 12 June 2024”, including patients from across Australia and overseas.

“Mr Zhen has placed his patients at high risk of serious harm by providing health services and treatments that could be dangerous and ineffective,” Dr Coulson Barr said.

“This is only the second time the OHO has needed to release a public statement in order to protect the community,” she said.

Queensland’s Health Ombudsman has issued a rare public warning urging anyone who has received treatment from Ormiston man David Zhen to report their experiences. Picture: File

The OHO issued an interim prohibition order on June 12, 2024, banning Mr Zhen from providing or supporting any form of health service.

But investigators believe he continued treating patients both before and after that date and have been unable to identify all who may have received care from him.

Members of the public who believe they were treated by Mr Zhen, under any of his known aliases, are strongly encouraged to contact a GP or hospital without delay and report their experience to the ombudsman.

The warning is not time limited and will remain in place until officially revoked, Dr Coulson Barr said.

According to official ASIC records, H2OMASSAGE is registered to 13 Grenoble Place, Ormiston, under the corporate entity H2O Massage Pty Ltd, which holds an active Australian Business Number.

Due to confidentiality laws under the Health Ombudsman Act 2013, the OHO has declined to comment further.

Patients can contact the OHO on 133 646 or lodge a complaint online.

Health consumers are also encouraged to verify the registration status of health professionals using the online Ahpra register.

Originally published as Queensland Health Ombudsman issues second-ever public safety warning over David Zhen