Dr Petru-Emanuel Dascalita charged with rape, suspended from practising

A suspended doctor who worked for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service has faced court after being charged with rape.

Petru-Emanuel Dascalita leaving court on Friday. Picture: Sam Turner

A Sunshine Coast doctor suspended by the health watchdog has been charged with rape.

Dr Petru-Emanuel Dascalita faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday on the single charge.

Police allege the 38-year-old committed the offence between December 28, 2023 and January 2, 2024 at Glenview.

He was charged on June 20 by police.

The Glenview man faced court with defence lawyer Matthew Cooper who appeared as town agent.

Mr Cooper asked for an adjournment and ordered the brief of evidence for the doctor’s legal team.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist adjourned the matter to November 15 for a committal mention.

He then left the court on bail.

Dr Dascalita was recently suspended by the Office of the Health Ombudsman, who released a brief statement on the 38-years-old’s suspension.

Dascalita leaving court following his brief mention.

According to the announcement, it took “immediate registration action” against Dr Dascalita.

Their statement said the decision would have effect until the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal sets aside the decision or the health ombudsman revoked the suspension.

His previous principal place of practice was at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in Birtinya.

The AHPRA website stated he graduated with a doctorate in medicine from Grigore T. Popa University in Romania in 2016.

A Sunshine Coast Health spokeswoman said Dr Dascalita was not currently in the workplace.

“This matter is before the courts and we are unable to provide further details,” the spokeswoman said.