Nature of Action: Pursuant to section 35(1)(a) of the Health Professions Act (the “Act”), a panel of the Inquiry Committee made an order to impose limits/conditions on William Hendricks’ registration with CMTBC in order to protect the public.

The limits/conditions on Mr. Hendricks’ practice of massage therapy are that he:

• must not treat female patients.
• must immediately post, on all online booking pages associated with him, a notice in a prominent position setting out the following statement:
  • William Henricks is prohibited from treating female patients by order of the Inquiry Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, dated July 13, 2023. The order is available on the College website at: https://www.cmtbc.ca/public-complaints/disciplinary-actions/
• must also post in a prominent place in any treatment room where he provides massage therapy treatment a notice that is printed on 8 x 11-inch paper and in large font, that is at least 18-point, stating:
  • William Hendricks is prohibited from treating female patients by order of the Inquiry Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, dated July 13, 2023. The order is available on the College website at: https://www.cmtbc.ca/public-complaints/disciplinary-actions/

The notice is only required to be posted in the treatment room when he is treating a patient.

• must also post in a prominent place in any waiting room of any clinic where he provides massage therapy treatment a notice that is printed on 8 x 11-inch paper and in large font, that is at least 18-point, stating:
  • William Hendricks is prohibited from treating female patients by order of the Inquiry Committee of the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, dated July 13, 2023. The order is available on the College website at: https://www.cmtbc.ca/public-complaints/disciplinary-actions/

• will be subject to random on-site audits of his practice by a College-appointed inspector to ensure compliance with the orders of the Inquiry Committee, with the frequency and timing of the random on-site audits to be at the sole discretion of the College. Without limiting the foregoing, an inspector may inspect any patient booking process (whether that occurs physically, by telephone, or otherwise electronically) and any file or record of any female patient treated by him.

Reasons: On June 16, 2023, CMTBC received a complaint from a female patient of the registrant (the “Patient”). In relation to this complaint, the Inquiry Committee panel found that there was a prima facie case of allegations that, during the provision of massage therapy to the Patient, Mr. Hendricks engaged in sexual misconduct by engaging in non-therapeutic touching of sensitive areas of the Patient’s body.

The Inquiry Committee panel considered the allegations serious and found that there is a risk of recurrence if an interim order was not made. Therefore, the panel determined that the public must be protected by an interim order 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 above-described limits/conditions are proportionate and sufficient to protect the public during the investigation or pending a discipline hearing.

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 that remain unproven unless admitted by a registrant or determined by the Discipline Committee.