Health and Care Professions Council determination — substantive hearing
HCPTS panel suspends Thomas Ashworth over racist comment and sexual messages
An HCPTS panel suspended physiotherapist Thomas Ashworth for six months after finding misconduct involving a racist comment, service-user remarks and sexually motivated messages.
MedicWatch editorial · Published 11 September 2025 · Updated 23 September 2026
Suspension (suspended from practice) — 6 months
Data last checked: 23 September 2026Report a correction
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The regulator imposed a fixed-term suspension in this decision. Its start date, appeal provisions and any later review affect whether it is currently in force. Check the official register for the practitioner's current status.
Concerning Thomas Ashworth, physiotherapist (Health and Care Professions Council PH98244).
Decision date: 11 September 2025 · Hearing started 8 September 2025 and ended 11 September 2025
In plain English
The HCPTS panel found that physiotherapist Thomas Ashworth encouraged a service user’s sexual comment, made a demeaning comparison about another service user, used racist language about Indian physiotherapists and sent sexually motivated messages to a junior colleague. It did not prove the separate 'not normal' comment. The panel found misconduct and current impairment, suspending him for six months with an 18-month interim order for any appeal.
Charges
It was alleged that the Registrant encouraged a service user's sexual comments, called service users 'not normal' and compared one to 'a puppy with a treat'. It was also alleged that he made a racist comment about Indian physiotherapists, sent a colleague flirtatious and sexual WhatsApp messages, and that the messages were sexually motivated. The conduct was alleged to amount to misconduct and impairment.
Findings
The Panel proved the allegation that the Registrant encouraged a service user's sexual comment and proved the 'puppy with a treat' comparison, but did not prove the separate 'not normal' comment. It proved the racist comment, inappropriate messages and sexual motivation. It found misconduct and current impairment on personal and public grounds, imposed a six-month suspension and an 18-month interim suspension for any appeal.
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Mitigating factors
the Registrant’s apology to Colleague A had been genuine; he had offered his apology during the probation review meeting and had emailed her to apologise. This indicated a level of remorse, in the context of conduct which Colleague A at no point indicated she wished him to stop. In addition the Registrant had done some relevant CPD, notably the diversity course lasting the equivalent of three working days.
Aggravating factors
the Registrant had denied and lacked insight in relation to his racist comment, and the impact of such comments on colleagues. Further, there had been a pattern of inappropriate communication, indicating an increased likelihood of repetition.
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published Health and Care Professions Council determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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