A Sydney-based doctor touched 16 female patients for his own sexual gratification under the guise of a “medically necessary” examination they had consented to, a jury has been told. General practitioner Sharif Fattah, 62, has pleaded not guilty in the NSW District Court to 30 charges of sexual and indecent assault allegedly committed over six months from September 2016. Fattah was arrested in early March 2017 after three women approached police. His other 13 alleged victims came forward within a month. “The accused used his position as a doctor to sexually assault or indecently assault the complainants under the guise that each assault was medically indicated, medically necessary, or as part of a legitimate medical examination,” prosecutor Tony McCarthy said as he opened the Crown’s case on Tuesday. “Therefore, the consent that was given was not informed consent to that act.” He said Fattah had worked as a GP for 20 years in New Zealand before coming to Australia and starting work at a health centre in Sydney in mid-2016. The female patients, aged between 19 and 40, are expected to testify they consented to particular examinations by Fattah at the practice. The trial continues before Judge Sharon Harris.
March 6, 2019
A top Sunshine Coast medico is accused of grabbing a young female nurse on the genitals in front of other Queensland Health staff during a boozy party on a boat. Queensland Health has confirmed it is investigating one of its top male practitioners who remains an employee of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. He has been appointed to a leadership role at another major regional health service. A source close to the case revealed SSHS staff were present during the alleged assault in mid-December. The source said the man allegedly “grabbed her genitals, causing her to scream and …. to flee the scene once the boat was tied up”. The victim told SSHS management about the alleged assault and Queensland Health has confirmed it is investigating the allegations. NewsRegional asked the man for comment but he did not respond by the time the story went to press. The alleged victim is overseas and unable to be reached. “Should the complaint be substantiated, Queensland Health will take the strongest possible action available to us under the Public Service Act as we do not condone this type of behaviour,” a QH spokesperson said. Queensland police would not reveal if they were investigating the incident. The Australian Nurses Union Queensland branch is believed to be supporting the alleged victim but QNMU secretary Beth Mohle said the union “cannot comment on specific cases or those currently under investigation”. AMA Queensland research shows around 40 per cent of medicos surveyed last year had “personally experienced” harassment or bullying in the workplace.
March 5, 2019
An application by Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (s.240 – Application to deal with a bargaining dispute) will be the preserve of Fair Work Commissioner Wilson in Court 7 – Level 6 in Melbourne.
March 5, 2019
South West Healthcare will defend a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Commissioner Yilmaz in Court 1 – Level 6 in Melbourne today (Landgraf).
March 5, 2019
A dispute over a wire gate led to a woman assaulting her female neighbour as well as sending a barrage of threatening text messages. Theresa Mary Williams, 57, pleaded guilty to five charges including one count of common assault when she faced Townsville Magistrate Court last month. The court heard the neighbours share adjoining Bushland Beach properties, and the tension began to brew in 2017 after Williams’ neighbours extended their home bringing the boundaries closer. Police prosecutor Darren Casson said the victim wanted to make changes to the gate which infuriated Williams. She said “over my dead body you’re going to wire up the gate” before grabbing the neighbour’s arm, and pulling it through the fence, causing grazing and pain. Mr Casson said police who attended the scene breath tested Williams who was found to be “highly intoxicated”. Williams was given watch house bail, which she would go on to breach twice by making contact with her victim. Mr Casson said malicious text messages were still being sent last year. “You think this is over, think again,” a message read. Defence lawyer Tracy Brown said following the dispute, the neighbour’s partner contacted the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to report Williams and her husband who are both registered nurses. “This resulted in a lot of vexatious reports about Ms Williams which resulted in a lengthy investigation by AHPRA and subsequently increased distress,” Ms Brown said. “Placing Ms William’s job as a registered nurse in jeopardy …. which took some time to investigate. “Complaints were fruitless …. and baseless.” Ms Brown said the future of Williams’ employment as a nurse at the Townsville Hospital and in Australia was dependant on whether or not a conviction was recorded.
March 5, 2019
Pearl Lifestyle Services Pty Ltd is still struggling with a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) in front of Fair Work Deputy President Lake in his Brisbane chambers (Ahern).
March 5, 2019
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application from Ararat Retirement Village Inc T/A Gorrin House Hostel for its Ararat Retirement Village Inc (Trading as Gorrin Village, ANMF and HSU Enterprise agreement 2017 has been belatedly ratified by Deputy President Masson in Melbourne on 16 February 2019.
March 5, 2019
Open Endoscopy Pty Ltd will defend a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) at 2pm before Deputy President Clancy in his Melbourne chambers (Essa).
