Chiropractor Penalized for Inappropriate Comments to Obese Patient

A chiropractor with over 40 years of experience has been directed to complete an in-depth reflective piece on his conduct after making unprofessional remarks and engaging in inappropriate physical contact with an obese patient. Kevin Burns, who operates clinics in Hull, Sheffield, and Doncaster, was found to have acted unprofessionally during eight treatment sessions for neck and arm pain in early 2023.

The patient, who was clinically obese at the time and attempting to lose weight, complained of feeling cold in the treatment room. Burns responded by saying, "Don't worry, you have plenty of insulation" and slapped her hip. The patient informed Burns that comments about her weight were not helpful and asked him to stop, but he continued to make remarks.

During the sessions, the patient alleged that Burns grabbed her belly fat and said, "we just need to burn this away." While Burns did not specifically recall this incident, he admitted he might have used the phrase "burn this away" as it was something he might say. He denied grabbing her belly fat in the manner described but conceded he might have touched her stomach. The patient also reported that Burns did not refasten her bra after she turned over on the treatment table, a claim Burns attributed to the need for an unobstructed anterior thoracic adjustment.

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC) ruled that Burns' actions constituted a failure to maintain professional boundaries and an inappropriate relationship. The council stated that while referencing a patient's weight can be appropriate if it is a factor in treatment, Burns should have ceased commenting when explicitly asked to do so. The tribunal concluded that these were not minor failings but clinically unjustified acts of inappropriate physical touching accompanied by inappropriate comments.

As a result, Burns must complete a reflective piece for review by the tribunal, detailing his professional development and changes. He will also be supervised by a registered practitioner for 24 months, meeting monthly to review his personal development plan. The council deemed these conditions of practice necessary to allow Burns to take rehabilitative steps and demonstrate changes in his practice.