NT doctor investigated for multiple alleged sexual assaults

In an anonymous letter sent to ANMF NT, staff at an NT hospital have said they are “fearful” of a doctor who has been described as “very sexual and aggressive”.

It is understood a doctor is under an NT Police investigation.

A high-level doctor at an NT hospital has remained on the payroll despite multiple complaints being made to police about alleged sexual offences.

The health practitioner has allegedly been the subject of several complaints to NT Health and a number of ongoing investigations.

Despite this, they have remained on staff and been allowed to carry on working at the health facility.

In an anonymous letter seen by this masthead, colleagues described the doctor as “very sexual and aggressive” and said staff were “fearful of this person”.

It was also alleged the doctor harassed staff and followed them home from work in their car.

No findings have been made against the doctor and no criminal charges have been laid.

In a strongly worded statement from the branch secretary for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) NT, the situation has been branded a “disgrace”, with claims NT Health has continued to put staff at risk.

NT branch secretary, Cath Hatcher, said the anonymous letter which was sent to ANMF NT in March prompted calls from the federationto the NT Department of Health which said it was investigating the matter.

Ms Hatcher said NT Health told them to leave the matter with them.

This week, Ms Hatcher was then informed the doctor had been allowed back into the workplace and called for the person to be sacked.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NT branch secretary Cath Hatcher. Picture: Floss Adams.

“Our members have entrusted us (ANMF NT) to deal with this matter and to make them safe, and now this health practitioner is back clinically in the workplace,” she said.

“Where is the NT Government’s duty of care for their staff?

“Occupational violence and sexual violence in the workplace must stop, now.

“I am calling for this practitioner to be suspended from all duty immediately.

“The safety of ASH staff is more important than this person … while being investigated appropriately by the NT Police.

“Why hasn’t the NT Government sacked this person?

“At this present time, we are appalled that this person is still clinically practising.”

It was stated the doctor was currently under investigation by NT Police for several alleged sexual assaults.

When approached to provide a comment on the alleged communication and internal investigation, NT Health refused to comment.

“NT Health does not comment on matters relating to individual staff members,” an NT Health spokeswoman said.

NT Police simply urged anyone with information about an alleged offence to contact them.

“The Northern Territory Police Force does not disclose the names or professions of anyone alleged to have been involved in an offence,” an NT Police spokesman said.

“Anyone with information about an alleged offence is urged to contact police on 131 444 and make a report.”

The NT Health Minister, Steve Edgington, was also approached for comment.

Originally published as NT doctor investigated for multiple alleged sexual assaults