Hadleigh osteopath removed from the GOsC Register

Following a hearing on 23-25 January 2017, a GOsC Professional Conduct Committee found Mr Salway guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

In a serious breach of professional standards, it was found that Mr Salway had abused his position through sexualised behaviour and the transgression of professional boundaries. His conduct, which undermined the integrity of the osteopathic profession, included the pursuit of a sexual relationship with a patient, sexual intercourse with a female at the practice, the publication of images of sexual activity in email exchanges with third parties, and the suggestion to correspondents that they book false appointments so that sexual activity could take place.

In deciding the appropriate sanction, the Professional Conduct Committee, chaired by Professor Brian Gomes da Costa, concluded that Mr Salway’s sexual misconduct, dishonesty and breach of trust were fundamentally incompatible with continued registration.

In reaching this decision the Committee considered that Mr Salway’s personal, financial and professional interests were significantly outweighed by the duty to protect patients, and maintain public trust and confidence in the osteopathic profession.

Mr Salway is now unable to practise as an osteopath.

He has 28 days to appeal his removal from the Register, during which time Mr Salway is suspended from the statutory Register of osteopaths with immediate effect.

ENDS

For further information, contact:
The GOsC Press Office
Tel: 020 7357 6655 x245
Email: pressoffice@osteopathy.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The full decision is available at: http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/news-and-resources/document-library/fitness-to-practise/mr-nicholas-salway-pcc-decision-26-january-2017

2. Mr Salway’s registration number was 2619.

3. The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has a statutory duty to regulate the practice of osteopathy in the UK. Osteopaths must be registered with the GOsC in order to practice in the UK.

We work with the public and the profession to promote patient safety by:

• registering qualified professionals
• setting, maintaining and developing standards of osteopathic practice and conduct
• assuring the quality of osteopathic education
• ensuring continuing professional development
• helping patients with concerns or complaints about an osteopath.

4. Information on how we deal with concerns or complaints about osteopaths is available at: http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/standards/complaints/our-complaints-process/