A 'PREDATORY' osteopath has been struck off after being found to have had an 'improper' sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient.

Stephen Blinman, former osteopath and chiropractor at Libra Chiropractic Clinic in Woodley, groomed a woman for his own sexual gratification, a tribunal has found.

The Professional Conduct Committee of the General Osteopathic Council found Blinman guilty of unacceptable professional conduct after a string of sexual allegations were made against him.

A report published last month, described how Mr Blinman treated ‘Patient A’ for headaches at the Libra Chiropractic Clinic between December 2021 to March 2022.

At the tribunal, the health service watchdog ruled that the health professional 'acted in a predatory fashion towards a vulnerable patient and engaged in a sexual relationship with her'.

According to the report, Mr Blinman told 'Patient A' he wanted to ‘heal’ her… and 'get her ready for her real relationship by helping her to overcome sexual phobias'.

It also described inappropriate Whatsapp exchanges referencing masturbation 'many times' within weeks of the first meeting, a suggestion from the health professional to the patient that 'skin on skin' treatment was normal, and allegations that were upheld that Blinman spoke of having sexual contact with other patients also.

The committee also accepted evidence that the pair had sexual intercourse on two occasions.

Mr Blinman denies grooming the patient but admitted to having an 'improper sexual relationship'.

The tribunal rejected suggestions that this was a relationship between equal consenting adults and accepted that the osteopath's conduct was 'opportunistic and predatory'.

The report adds: “When responding to GOsC’s inquiry concerning the complaint about his action and conduct, the Registrant appeared to suggest that Patient A had initiated and maintained the relationship rather than accepting responsibility for his conduct in grooming Patient A and subsequently embarking upon and maintaining a sexual relationship with her.”

However, the General Osteopathic Council Professional Conduct Committee concluded that Mr Blinman “failed to set or maintain professional and sexual boundaries” and “wilfully breached them”.

The report added: "He took advantage of Patient A knowing she was vulnerable.

"There was no clinical justification for his actions. He acted in a predatory manner toward Patient A ignoring his duties as a healthcare professional to respect the professional boundaries between them and he put his desires for sexual gratification before her interests."