Nature of Action: Pursuant to section 35(1)(b) of the Health Professions Act (the “Act”), a panel of the Inquiry Committee made an order to impose a suspension on Stephen Bartlett’s registration with CMTBC. While suspended, he is not entitled to practice as a registered massage therapist in BC.

This replaces a previous order of the Inquiry Committee made on May 5, 2022, imposing limits/conditions on Mr. Bartlett’s practice of massage therapy. At that time, the Inquiry Committee panel imposed the following limits on Mr. Bartlett’s practice of massage therapy:

• Bartlett may not perform any neck or spine treatments, including the cervical spine.
• Bartlett may not perform any pubic symphysis treatments.

Reasons: On June 27, 2022, the Inquiry Committee initiated an investigation into whether Mr. Bartlett had failed to comply with its May 5, 2022 order imposing limits/conditions on Mr. Bartlett’s registration, based on information obtained by the College.

The Inquiry Committee was satisfied that there was a prima facie case that, on June 24, 2022, during a massage therapy session, Mr. Bartlett breached the May 5, 2022 order by providing pubic symphysis treatment and adjusting the patient’s neck. 

The Inquiry Committee panel was satisfied that there is a real, non-speculative, and immediate risk of a recurrence of conduct that is serious in nature and necessitates action to protect the public. Therefore, the panel determined that the public must be protected by additional interim measures during the investigation and pending any discipline hearing.

The panel considered what interim measures would be sufficient and proportionate in this case. Having weighed the different options and the circumstances of this case, and having considered the impact on the registrant, the Inquiry Committee panel concluded that the protection of the public can only be achieved through the suspension of Mr. Bartlett’s registration.  

Important Note: Limits, conditions and suspensions ordered by the Inquiry Committee under section 35(1) of the Act are made to protect the public during an investigation or pending a hearing of the Discipline Committee. Measures taken under section 35(1) of the Act pertain to allegations which are and remain unproven unless admitted by a registrant or determined by the Discipline Committee.