NT doctor suspended by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency amid multiple alleged sexual harassment allegations

A senior NT doctor has been suspended by the national regulator, a week after hospital workers alleged NT Health was covering up allegations of persistent sexual harassment.

The Northern Territory doctor — who cannot be named for legal reasons — has been listed as a suspended practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, meaning they cannot work as a medical professional in Australia.

UPDATE 6pm, July 11: A senior doctor who was allegedly employed by NT Health while facing multiple sexual assault allegations has been suspended by the national regulatory board.

The Northern Territory doctor — who cannot be named for legal reasons — has been listed as a suspended practitioner by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, meaning they cannot work as a medical professional in Australia.

No details were published about what triggered the suspension of the NT doctor, or when the suspension came into effect.

It comes a week after the NT News was told multiple staff had made formal complaints alleging that the senior doctor had sexually harassed and intimidated colleagues, and that NT Health was ‘covering up’ the allegations.

In an anonymous letter seen by the NT News, colleagues alleged the doctor was “very sexual and aggressive and said staff were “fearful of this person”.

“There are many young doctors and nurses who have put up with this for too long … we have to protect ourselves by making sure we are not alone with (them),” the letter said.

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.

Last week Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NT branch secretary Cath Hatcher said it was a “disgrace” that the doctor had been allowed to continue working amid an investigation into the allegations against him.

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

“Where is the NT Government’s duty of care for their staff?” Ms Hatcher said.

“Why hasn’t the peak body of his profession, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, not stood him down with no pay, whilst a full investigation has been undertaken?

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

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

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

The NT News has seen internal NT Health documents saying the doctor was expected to remain in his role until mid-July, however the APHRA suspension means this has been cut short.

Both NT Health and NT Police have previously declined to comment on the matter.

A Health spokeswoman said the department “ does not comment on matters relating to individual staff members”, while NT Police said it could not “disclose the names or professions of anyone alleged to have been involved in an offence”.

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

INITIAL 5pm, July 4: 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 federation to 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 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 suspended by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency amid multiple alleged sexual harassment allegations