Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
November 13, 2020 - 6:30 AM
A third allegation of inappropriately touching a female patient has been made against a former Kelowna massage therapist scheduled for a disciplinary hearing next month.
Former registered massage therapist Robert Morgan is set for a disciplinary hearing to be held in private starting Dec. 14 over three allegations that he touched the complainants’ breasts for a "non-therapeutic and/or sexual purpose."
Morgan was originally due for a disciplinary hearing to be held in private in December 2019, facing allegations from two former patients. Morgan appealed to the College of Massage Therapists of B.C. arguing the hearing should be held in public and not behind closed doors.
College of Massage Therapists of B.C. dismissed Morgan's request for an in public hearing and has now posted a notice to its website scheduling the disciplinary hearing to be held virtually Dec. 14 and 15.
The hearing will now include allegations from three former patients.
According to a decision, July 17, the College received a third complaint against Morgan sometime earlier this year.
The third complainant alleges that on or about Feb. 3, 2017, Morgan told the patient it was necessary to expose her breast to provide treatment, which was untrue. It's also alleged Morgan "massaged or otherwise touched (the) patient's breast for a non-therapeutic and/or sexual purpose" and "failed to provide appropriate draping" when there was "no therapeutic reason to do so and/or for a sexual purpose."
Morgan also faces allegations that on or about Sept. 18, 2015 he massaged or otherwise touched a patient's breasts for a non-therapeutic and/or sexual purpose, and did so without obtaining her consent. Morgan is also accused of lifting the drape and exposing the patient's breasts as she turned to an upward-facing position.
In the other circumstance, on or about April 20, 2017, Morgan is accused of failing to describe appropriate disrobing to a patient and making a statement advising her to remove her clothing. The patient also accuses Morgan of touching her buttocks and breasts "for a non-therapeutic and/or sexual purpose" without obtaining her informed consent. It's also alleged he touched the patient's nipples.
Morgan ceased to be a member of College Massage Therapists B.C. on Feb. 1, 2019.
While next month's disciplinary hearing will be held in private, the College says a full transcript of the hearing – with the complainants' names redacted – will be available at a cost to the public afterwards.
All of the allegations against Morgan remain unproven.
— This story was corrected at 1:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The original story said the allegations related to "non-therapeutic service and/or sexual purpose." The quote should have read, "non-therapeutic and/or sexual purpose."
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