'Osteopath' fined £1,000 (From Tewkesbury Admag)

'Osteopath' fined £1,000

AN Evesham woman has been fined £1,000 for falsely advertising herself as an osteopath in a phone directory.

Thirty-four-year-old Fiona Judson, of Jasmine Walk, Evesham also falsely told a client on the phone she was an osteopath.

The matter came to light in May 2005 after a patient, Anita Hale, complained to the General Osteopathic Council (GOC) about treatment she received from Judson which left her bruised and in pain.

Inquiries revealed Judson was not registered with the council, which subsequently began prosecution proceedings against her.

Under the Osteopath's Act 1993 it is a criminal offence to claim to be an osteopath without being registered with the council.

The offences against Judson related to her advertising in the 2004/05 phonebook under the category of 'osteopaths' and claiming to be one when called by Ms Hale.

But George Heimler, representing Judson, said she was a qualified osteomyologist - who specialise in bones and other aspects of holistic therapy - and chose to register herself with the Association of Osteomyologists and not the GOC.

He said it was not a deliberate deception on Judson's part as she wanted to be in the directory as an osteomyologist but there was no such category.

The court also heard she described herself on the phone as one as she said it was easier than explaining what a osteomyologist was.

He added: "We're not dealing with a charlatan because if we were you'd be dealing with other offences than these."

Judson, who is the fifth person in the country to be prosecuted for such offences, appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court where she admitted the charges. She was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay GOC costs of £1,997,37.

James Norman, representing the GOC, said Judson was warned twice previously about falsely representing herself as an osteopath - in July 2004 and December 2004.

In mitigation, Mr Heimler said Judson was a competent, proficient osteomyologist who had given relief to scores of patients over many years.

On sentencing, chairman of the magistrates Paul Vaughan said he was aware she was a well-respected practitioner.

He added: "This is a difficult lesson to learn but do not go away from here thinking your integrity as an osteomyologist has been damaged."

Speaking after the case, the GOC's head of legal affairs David Simpson said Judson's convictions were a 'victory' for patient safety.

He added: "We'll continue to prosecute anyone who falsely represents themselves as an osteopath in order to maintain the reputation of the osteopath profession and, above all, protect the public."