'My sex offender physio should have been stopped'

Sarah Johnson, a 42-year-old from Meopham, Kent, is urging for immediate suspension of physiotherapists accused of sexual offences after suffering assaults by Purnoor Bawa. Bawa, sentenced to six years for inappropriately touching six women, had previously assaulted two others in 2013 at NHS clinics. Despite a reported assault in 2016, he continued to practice until he was eventually struck off the register in 2019. Johnson reported Bawa to Kent Police, but the investigation did not lead to charges initially, allowing him to commit further assaults. She criticized the Health and Care Professions Council for its slow response, questioning how he remained in practice despite allegations.

Johnson’s experience has led her to develop PTSD, and she now advocates for systemic changes to protect vulnerable patients. The HCPC maintains it has measures to safeguard the public, yet Johnson's case reveals significant gaps in enforcement. Her call for action highlights the urgent need for accountability within healthcare professions.