A chiropractor has been charged with treating patients, including a baby, while suspended for alcohol use

A Gold Coast doctor treated 60 patients – including a five-month-old baby – despite having his registration suspended by the health watchdog for alcohol abuse, a court has heard.

Adrian Charles Adams on Monday pleaded guilty at Southport Magistrates’ Court to nine charges of willfully impersonating a registered doctor when he was suspended.

He was fined $15,000 by the court.

The charges were brought by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after Adams continued to treat patients despite having his registration suspended in December 2021.

Conditions set before suspension

The court heard conditions were imposed on Adams’ registration in July 2021, after complaints were made by patients and staff about his behaviour, which involved the use of alcohol at his health centers in Varsity Lakes and Helensvale which are marketed as Chiro + Co.

The conditions required a breathalyzer to test for alcohol consumption before and after work.

The tribunal heard that he had failed to meet these conditions and further complaints were made, leading to AHPRA banning him from practising.

Southport Magistrates’ Court heard that Adams continued to treat patients at his clinics for up to four months at various times between December 2021 and February 2024, despite being suspended.

The court heard that the Helensvale Chiro + Co clinic was currently out of business and other doctors had leased the premises to the Varsity Lakes clinic, with Adams only overseeing its cleaning.

Offending a ‘very serious example’

Health department prosecutor Shelley Francis said the offense was “very serious” and repeated.

The crown prosecutor told the court during his suspension, Adams treated 60 patients, some more than once, including a five-month-old baby.

None of the patients knew at the time that Adams was not a licensed health practitioner, the court heard.

He told the court that the maximum penalty for the offense is $60,000 but asked that Adams be fined $15,000 and that the conviction be recorded.

Chiro’s ‘catastrophic’ conditions

Defense lawyer Matthew Hynes told the court his client’s behavior was “repeatedly, frankly, insane and unacceptable”, it occurred during a “tragedy” and “difficult time”. ” of his life.

Mr Hynes said Adams turned to alcohol during the COVID pandemic, following the premature birth of his son.

He argued that his client was “at the peak of his professional career” but after his baby was born prematurely at 24 weeks, he began drinking alcohol. “ease the pain” as she was told the child would not survive.

“Alcohol came in… [and] he started spending more money,” Mr Hynes said.

The court heard that Adams opened a new clinic at the same time and was later diagnosed with cancer.

He argued that Adams should not have a conviction on record now that he has retrained as a real estate agent and traveled overseas for his wetsuit business.

No promotion reported

Sentencing Adams, Magistrate Nerida Wilson said he had shown an “incorrigible refusal to stop exercising”.

“The public expects that when the board of experts steps in and proposes a suspension, that’s it,” he said.

Judge Wilson said he chose not to report the sentence because the public would be protected by Adams’ “continuing legal and moral obligation to disclose” the action taken by AHPRA.

Adams was also ordered to pay AHPRA costs of $2,000.