Suspended therapist continuing to practise (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Suspended therapist continuing to practise

12:35pm Tuesday 7th August 2007 in

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A THERAPIST suspended for being a "significant risk of harm to clients" is continuing to practice at his Loughton centre.

At a full hearing of the profession's regulator, the Health Professions Council, Derek Gale was issued with an 18-month interim suspension order to prevent him from working as an arts therapist.

However a legal loophole in the regulations means he can continue to work as long as he does not advertise his work as 'arts' therapy.

An Health Professions Council spokesman admitted the HPC is helpless to prevent Mr Gale from exploiting the loophole.

The spokesman said: "Individuals cannot practise in the UK using a protected title unless they are registered with the HPC. Unfortunately, in rare occasions, individuals do chose to use a non-regulated title such as 'therapist' to continue practising after the HPC has taken action against them and the HPC cannot take action against those individuals."

Among the allegations against Mr Gale are claims he encouraged his clients to take illegal drugs and join in nude workshops while there are also accusations against him of exploiting client relationships and failing to keep proper records.

At the hearing Mr Gale's representative, Edward Rosen, had described the accusations against his client as "highly questionable".

An investigation into the allegations is underway.

Mr Gale, who works in London and at the Gale Centre, Baldwins Hill, Loughton, said: "The matter is in the hands of the HPC in which I have every confidence and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment."