A former Central Otago physiotherapist found guilty of professional misconduct and malpractice has had his registration cancelled by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Murray James Singleton, now of Timaru, was also censured by the tribunal in its penalty decision issued this week.
He had been found guilty on two of three charges heard by the tribunal earlier this year, with a third charge of inappropriate sexual conduct not proven.
The charges related to his conduct with an elderly woman patient in 2008.
The tribunal found his "highly inappropriate text relationship" with the woman was professional misconduct and that his attempt to counsel the woman was outside the scope of his physiotherapy practice and amounted to malpractice.
In the penalty decision the tribunal ordered that if Mr Singleton wished to return to practise physiotherapy he would need to satisfy the Physiotherapy Board he had undertaken such appropriate courses in ethics and the management of boundaries the board deemed appropriate.
No fine was imposed on Mr Singleton, as the tribunal believed cancellation of his registration was sufficient penalty.
Costs could not be awarded against him because Mr Singleton was receiving legal aid.
Mr Singleton's counsel, Wayne van Vuuren, had sought to have his client censured and some conditions imposed on his practice.
He submitted Mr Singleton's shortcomings could be rectified through further training and responsible oversight.
