A MUSLIM physiotherapist who launched into a racist rant when a patient refused to undergo acupuncture at a Sheffield clinic has been struck off.
Zaffar Ali told the Christian woman her faith was ‘wrong’ and had ‘killed more people than any other religion’ after she said the treatment was against her beliefs.
He ‘tore into’ her at an NHS clinic in Sheffield, lambasting her with a series of ‘inappropriate remarks’ in an attempt to pressure her into accepting his recommendation, the Health Professions Council heard.
Ali, formerly of Shirebrook Road, Heeley, claimed he was trying to show her ‘another viewpoint’ but a string of charges against him were proved at a misconduct hearing.
He was already subject to a four-year caution imposed by the HPC in 2009 after he received criminal convictions for harassment and battery and was sacked from Sheffield NHS Primary Care Trust.
Ali admitted assault and harassment at Sheffield Magistrates Court.
He broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and assaulted one of her male friends.
Ruling that he should be struck off the professional register, panel chairman Ian Griffiths said: “The proved facts amount to more than merely isolated incidents but show a pattern of inappropriate behaviour by Mr Ali, in particular towards female patients.
“Mr Ali posed a risk of harm to patients and the panel is satisfied that the issues giving rise to this risk have not been addressed.”
The hearing was told Ali confronted the woman while he was working for Pain Management Solutions, a Barnsley-based firm which provides treatment for chronic pain on behalf of the NHS.
In a letter of complaint she wrote: “I found Mr Ali to be extremely racist against my Christian faith. I have had doctors, nurses and staff of all different religions look after me but this is the first time I’ve been treated by such a bigoted man as Mr Ali.”
In a written response Ali admitted religion had come up in the consultation, but claimed he tried to avoid a detailed discussion.
Ali, who did not attend the hearing, was dismissed from Pain Management Solutions last August and is believed to have left the country.
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