SA health care worker banned after cancer cure claims

In short:

A decision to ban a health care worker who abused "vulnerable" clients has been upheld by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).

Adrian Fabio Mangini had asked for a review after the Community Services Complaints Commissioner banned him from practising indefinitely.

What's next?

Mr Mangini has filed an appeal against SACAT's decision in South Australia's Supreme Court.

A man who abused "vulnerable" clients by claiming he could cure cancer and make an non-ambulatory woman walk has failed in a bid to overturn his "indefinite" ban from practising as a health care worker.

Adrian Fabio Mangini was providing health services in South Australia, including "hypnogym", hypnotherapy and yoga, before he was banned from practising indefinitely in 2024 by the Community Services Complaints Commissioner.

A judgement published by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) earlier this year upheld the decision after Mr Mangini asked for a review.

It upheld the previous findings by the Community Services Complaints Commissioner which included Mr Mangini's claim, in a YouTube video, that he made a woman living with a non-ambulatory disability walk "after an 11-minute consultation where he hypnotised her and counselled her by providing encouraging words".

Senior member of SACAT Jacqueline Rugless also reiterated in her judgment that there was "no evidence" the woman "was previously disabled or that she could not walk at all or could only walk with a frame".

"I am satisfied that the applicant claimed in advertising or promotional materials to have made … 'a disabled person' walk as a direct result of his provision of services, in circumstances where there was and is still no proof that [she] was disabled and could not walk prior to the consultation," she said.

Cancer cure claims

The tribunal also upheld a previous finding that Mr Mangini had claimed he cured cancer.

"The applicant [Mr Mangini] privately messaged a client about assisting a different client of his to be 10 years' cancer free, such that he represented he was able to cure cancer," the judgement said.

The judgement also upheld a finding that the health care worker had "engaged in behaviour of a sexual or close personal nature with a client".

"I am satisfied that the proven conduct of the applicant demonstrates a degree of overt abuse of the health and safety of vulnerable consumers together with open and deliberate dishonesty in his advertising about the alleged beneficial consequences of the services he sought to offer to consumers," Ms Rugless said.

"The applicant has demonstrated no insight into his behaviour and has displayed no remorse for his conduct. I am satisfied that he continues to pose a risk to the public.

"The proven conduct is completely incompatible with Mr Mangini continuing to be a health care worker or a health services provider."

Proceedings labelled a 'vendetta'

The judgment also outlined that Mr Mangini had argued in the tribunal that the proceedings were brought against him because of a vendetta by the Community Services Complaints Commissioner.

"I am not satisfied that there is any evidence of a 'vendetta' against Mr Mangini by a person or persons either known to him or unknown, or of a racist motivation behind the allegations that were before the Commissioner," Ms Rugless said in the judgement.

"In any event I am satisfied that the allegations found proved in the Commissioner's report have been independently verified by the Commissioner's investigation."

Mr Mangini has filed an appeal against SACAT's decision in the state's Supreme Court.