A former Central Otago physiotherapist has been found guilty of professional misconduct and malpractice after he developed a "highly inappropriate" text relationship with an elderly patient.
The Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, in a finding released today, said Murray James Singleton admitted the text relationship with an elderly Central Otago woman who had suffered a suspected stroke. The texting amounted to professional misconduct.
Mr Singleton, who has since moved to Timaru, had told the tribunal he had texted the woman and given her his cellphone number as he was "genuinely concerned about her welfare".
"He agreed that he was a fool for sending them."
The malpractice finding related to Mr Singleton attempting to "help" the woman outside of physiotherapy.
"The tribunal finds that he stepped outside the normal construct of the therapeutic listening role, which is part of the physiotherapist's practice, and into counselling."
The tribunal found a charge of inappropriate sexual conduct not proven.
It has called for submissions on penalties.
