Doctor shares penis photo
Surgery snap in court
A TOWNSVILLE surgeon has been charged over allegedly taking a photo of a patient’s penis during an operation and sharing it.
Jason Ramesh Jaikisan Patel, 50, has been charged with observing or recording in breach of privacy (genital or anal region), and distributing prohibited visual recordings after the alleged acts between April 1 and April 10, 2019.
Police will allege Patel took an inappropriate photo of a man, without his consent, and shared it with others while he was employed at Townsville Hospital.
The Townsville Bulletin understands the surgeon took a photo of the man’s genitalia while he was unconscious on an operating table.
It is understood Patel did not allegedly take the photograph for sexual gratification, and instead because of a tattoo the patient had.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes confirmed the North Ward surgeon no longer worked at the hospital, or within the health service. “The medical officer no longer works for the Townsville Hospital and Health Service,” Mr Keyes said.
“As the matter is now before the courts, I am unable to make any further comment.”
The Office of the Health Ombudsman declined to comment, quoting confidentiality and privacy laws.
Police charged Patel with the offences last month, and he faced court for the first time on Friday.
Patel’s lawyer, Danielle Soutar, requested his matter be adjourned for case conferencing until October 15.
He was granted bail but did not emerge from the Townsville Courthouse until more than 30 minutes after signing his bail forms.
Patel appeared nervous as he sat inside the courthouse, at one point peering outside a window at waiting media.
He eventually exited the courthouse through the back entrance, appearing to try to dodge cameras and hiding his face with his phone.
Patel’s matter has been adjourned until October, when he is not required to appear.