My local chiroquacktor

I came across a local chiro yesterday morning who was using the title ‘Dr’ on his website, but who doesn’t appear to have any real medical qualifications. I fired a quick email off to the GCC:

Hi

One of my local chiropractors is referred to as ‘Dr Connell Dorrian MSc D.C.’ on his website. His GCC registration number is 01359.

I believe there are rules about how a chiropractor uses the title ‘Dr’ and I wondered if you could tell me the details of this and whether Connell Dorrian is within those rules?

Thanks.

I got the following reply:

Dear Sir

Thank you for your enquiry. The relevant part of the Code of Practice for chiropractors states that

“Chiropractors must not use any title or qualification in such a way that the public may be misled as to its mean or significance. In particular, chiropractors who use the title of ‘doctor’ and who are not registered medical practitioners must ensure that they make it clear they are registered chiropractors and not registered medical practitioners.”

Do please let me know if from your perspective the information provided on Connell Dorrian’s website is sufficiently clear. If not, I will draw to his attention any issues that you are able to identify, with a view to remedying any problem.

Yours sincerely

Margaret Coats

Chief Executive & Registrar

I certainly will be responding to the GCC and the BCA!

I may also complain to Trading Standards (not the ASA, because they would only deal with it if it was an advert elsewhere), but I suspect they’ll just pass it on to the GCC. However, may be worth trying.

I wonder how many others are doing this…

First posted: 19 May 2009

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