Royal Darwin Hospital doctor surrenders passport while on bail for child abuse material charges

The senior Darwin clinician at the centre of a child abuse material investigation has been granted bail, but has been taken off-duty from treating patients in the NT Health system.

The 45-year-old Royal Darwin Hospital worker was arrested two weeks ago and charged with two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

A senior Darwin doctor has been forced to surrender his passport amid a Commonwealth investigation into child abuse material charges.

The 45-year-old Royal Darwin Hospital worker – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was arrested two weeks ago and charged with two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material.

It is alleged the senior doctor used a carriage service to access the illegal material.

NT Police confirmed he was charged on Friday February 14, with his first Darwin Local Court hearing held that same day.

Defence barrister Brooke Houen told Judge Giles O’Brien-Hartcher that her client was in the Palmerston watch house and unable to come into court as “the cells are full”.

Ms Houen said the Commonwealth prosecutor had consented to the Darwin doctor being granted bail.

Defence barrister Brooke Houen leaving Darwin Local Court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The full conditions of his release were not outlined, however Ms Houen said his passport had been surrendered as well as a significant bond provided.

Prosecutor Ingrid Ibbett said a four-page statement of alleged facts had been prepared outlining the two child abuse charges.

In less than four minutes the senior doctor was granted bail with his hearing adjourned to April 1.

Mr O’Brien-Hartcher said the Commonwealth matter would be sent to the preliminary examination list, meaning he could eventually face the Supreme Court.

Federal Prosecutor Ingrid Ibbett leaving Darwin Local Court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

NT Health chief executive Chris Hosking previously confirmed to this masthead the clinician was no longer on duty or on site and therefore not presently treating patients in the Northern Territory health system.

His arrest has sent the Top End health community into turmoil, with NT Police also investigating any link between the 45-year-old and the suicide of a male colleague at the hospital.

This masthead has confirmed the body of another senior medical staff member was discovered in the hospital on Monday, February 17.

NT Police denied the man took his life ahead of his imminent arrest, but said since his death they had begun investigating links between him and the doctor facing charges.

The death has stunned hospital staff who have said both men were respected and highly regarded members of the NT health system.

Mr Hosking said staff members had been supported through the turbulent time.

“We have people, including some of our senior doctors, who are really struggling to make sense of this,” he said.

Originally published as Royal Darwin Hospital doctor surrenders passport while on bail for child abuse material charges