A former Dunedin osteopath who threatened to strangle a colleague until her ''eyeballs popped out'' has been suspended from practising in New Zealand for 12 months and will have to pay fines and costs of nearly $50,000.
Paul Edward Bolton was found guilty on three charges of professional misconduct in relation to his treatment of several patients while working at Consultancy House Clinic in Dunedin between January and May 2012.
The charges were brought by the professional conduct committee of the New Zealand Osteopathic Council.
The New Zealand Health Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday found evidence existed to suggest Mr Bolton threatened to ''damage'' a fellow staff member and threatened to strangle another staff member ''slowly and watch her eyeballs pop out''.
The tribunal also found evidence existed to show Mr Bolton inserted acupuncture needles into a client, then left the client unattended for a long period without any means to attract attention; performed acupuncture and a cervical manipulation technique on a female client without her consent; frequently used swear words in front of staff and clients; and performed Western medical acupuncture (including electro-acupuncture) without being permitted by his scope of practice.
However, the tribunal found there was no evidence to suggest he did not communicate his clinical intent before positioning a treatment bed on which a female patient was lying so his crotch was pressed against her.
It also found there was no evidence to show Mr Bolton's speaking to patients excessively about personal affairs had compromised his ability to focus on his patients.
The tribunal also found no evidence to suggest Mr Bolton had failed to confirm a thorough case history of a patient, communicate a diagnosis or a plan of care.
Penalties imposed by the tribunal include suspension from practice in New Zealand for 12 months; a $3000 fine; and he was ordered to pay 35% of the costs of the tribunal and the professional conduct committee, which equated to $45,714.
The tribunal said if Mr Bolton wanted to resume practising in New Zealand, he would be subject to conditions.
These included being supervised for a period of six months by a person approved by the Osteopathic Council; undergoing a full medical examination at his own cost; undertaking any courses or treatments suggested as a result of the medical examination; attending to any issues which arise from the examination and review; and undertaking, at his own cost, courses on communication, professional boundaries and informed consent as identified by the Osteopathic Council. Mr Bolton came to New Zealand from the United Kingdom on the recommendation of physiotherapist and osteopath Jim Webb.
Mr Webb said he and Mr Bolton had known each other for about 10 years.
However, Mr Webb became concerned for the welfare of Mr Bolton's clients, and was prompted to lay a formal complaint with the New Zealand Osteopathic Council about his actions.
Mr Bolton, who has since returned to the United Kingdom, did not attend the tribunal hearing and chose not to employ counsel.
