Therapist barred over two-year relationship with woman patient

AN occupational therapist has been struck off after an industry panel heard how she had an inappropriate relationship with a patient.

Teresa Hindley was barred by the Health Professions Council after the hearing was told she allowed a personal relationship to develop with the woman over two years, while working as a therapist for Rotherham Primary Care Trust.

Hindley embraced the woman, spent nights at her house, went for nights away with her and gave her mobile phone number, the panel heard.

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The HPC panel concluded that she was guilty of having an unprofessional relationship with the woman, referred to only as Patient A.

But Ms Hindley was cleared of making lesbian advances towards the woman after the panel found that her actions were not sexually motivated.

In its conclusion the panel said: “It should be clearly understood that the panel’s view is that the proved facts demonstrate that Ms Hindley allowed an inappropriate relationship to develop. 

“However, the issue here being considered is whether she was sexually motivated in allowing that relationship to come about. 

“The panel does not find that she was.”

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The HPC panel found that Hindley, who worked for the PCT between 2005 and 2009, had hugged or embraced Patient A and had called her a “spoilt little brat.”

But it did not find it had been proved that she had placed her knee between the woman’s legs when conducting an examination. Allegations that Hindley had asked the patient to hold her breast and kissed her were not upheld.

Hindley admitted her actions amounted to misconduct but insisted that they did not demonstrate a lack of competence.

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