Can an Osteopath date a previous patient?

[Urban_angel]

I ask because the Osteopath I was seeing up until a couple of weeks ago is really lovely. I'd love to ask him out but I know there are doctor/patient rules about dating etc and I don't even want to ask him out if it's going to get him into trouble. Just wondered if anyone knew what the rules and regs were for Osteopaths? Is there a certain amount of time that a doctor/osteopath (etc) has NOT seen the patient for before considering dating them?
Hope someone can help as this is driving me mad!
Thank you!

[Ethel]

There is nothing to stop you dating assuming you are over 16, especially as the treatment has ended and he is no longer treating you.

[jno]

if you're an ex-patient, no problem at all. If you're still a patient, the rules (that is, the rules for him) say no personal relationships. Scroll down to page 6 here:

http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/about_gosc/4387Co desOfPractice_A_W.pdf

[BIG BIG JOHN]

If HE has any decency, and respect for his profession, he would no even contemplate dating you nor any other patient whether or not current.

[Urban_angel]

BIG BIG JOHN...
Can I ask why you say that if he was decent he wouldn't even date a PREVIOUS patient??? If I was a current patient then I would understand but being an ex patient....it's not the same thing. Could you tell me what you meant? Thanks

[joko]

whenever this comes up, for any doctor, they merely have to change doctors - it is not illegal, just frowned upon, as it could be suspected that the doctor is taking advantage of a vulnerable patient.

as osteopathy is about manipulation of the spine etc i don;t see that means you are especially vulnerable.

as has been said, as soon as you are an ex patient, you are now just another adult.

go for it.

[jno]

joko, chiropractic is mainly spinal manipulation but osteopathy (depending on the practitioner) can involve a lot more soft-tissue work and what is basically massage, so I'd think patients - especially female patients of male osteopaths - need to feel comfortable that it's all strictly professional. But lordy, the times I've wished I had an osteopath around the house, and damn the ethics...