A medic was found guilty of practising 'unlawfully' after running an osteopathic practice in Bury without being officially registered for almost a decade.
Amanda Purcell, 52, was found guilty after a trial at Wigan Magistrates' Court on June 21 of two counts of using the osteopathic title while not registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
It has been a criminal offence for any person to describe themselves as, or to imply that they are any kind of osteopath unless they are registered with the GOsC since the passing of the Osteopaths Act in 1993 - similar to most other medical professions.
Osteopaths treat conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints through the use physical manipulation, stretching and massage.
Purcell was on the council's register but was removed in June of 2011 and was therefore 'no longer permitted to use the title of osteopath', according to the GOsC.
Purcell 'continued to provide information on her website and Facebook page which included expressly referring to her being an osteopath', added the council.
Despite warnings from the GOsC that she may be committing a criminal offence, Purcell 'failed to make adequate amendments to the information she provided online', said the council.
She first pleaded not guilty to the charges in January 2020 at Bolton Crown Court, with a trial due to take place in April of last year.
Purcell, of Zetland Mews, Dukinfield, received a conditional discharge for 12 months and was ordered to pay costs of £1,600 to the GOsC. She was also ordered to pay a Victim Surcharge of £21.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the GOsC said: "Patient safety is the primary purpose of protecting the use of the osteopathic title.
"The GOsC ensures that the practitioners on its register are safe and competent osteopaths who follow strict codes of conduct."
The Manchester Evening News has contacted Amanda Purcell for comment.
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