Public statement in relation to Mr Bernard Reiher

9 July 2010

Under section 41A(2)(b) of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993, the Commission has decided to issue the following public statement:

Mr Bernard Werner Reiher has been practising since 1973 and performed spinal manipulations in numerous locations in NSW. Mr Reiher is not and never has been registered with the Osteopaths Registration Board of NSW or any other Osteopaths Registration Board in Australia. Mr Reiher held himself out as an osteopath and advertised using the title “osteopath”. Mr Reiher also gained financial benefits when patients ordered products from Metagenics under his account number and on his advice, without disclosing his financial interest.

Following the investigation the Commission made a prohibition order under s41A of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 as follows:

• Mr Reiher is not to practise osteopathy in NSW whilst not being registered with the Osteopaths Registration Board of NSW or Australia.
• Mr Reiher is not to use the title osteopath, D.O. or any other titles, which create the impression of being a registered osteopath. 
• Mr Reiher is to inform any future and current employers and patients that he is not a registered osteopath and that he must not perform spinal manipulations.
• Mr Reiher is to advise any patients who require osteopathic treatment to see a registered osteopath.
• Mr Reiher is not to advise patients to buy any medications, therapeutic goods or devices, including products from Metagenics, in order to gain financial inducements or gifts, without disclosing his financial interest.

Read the related media release.

Further Information

For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission on 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au.