Leading Australian neurosurgeon Tim Steel is charged with assaulting his wife – as patients reveal they’ve been ‘left in the dark’ and told he’s on ‘unexpected leave’
- Neurosurgeon Dr Tim Steel has been suspended from practising since February
- The leading doctor has been charged with assaulting his wife of 12 years, Emma
- Police are applying for an apprehended violence order on his wife’s behalf
- Dr Steel was suspended once before in 2005, when he was found with cocaine
- Sources say patients have been left in the dark over Dr Steel’s status at hospital
Pictured: Dr Tim Steel, head of the Neurosurgery Department at St Vincent’s Hospital
A leading neurosurgeon has been suspended from practicing as he faces charges for assaulting his wife – and patients claim they have been told he’s on expected leave.
Dr Tim Steel, who leads the Department of Neurosurgery at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst, is accused of assaulting his wife, Emma, and damaging property during an alleged row at the couple’s home in Bellevue Hill on Saturday, December 14.
His lawyer, Paul McGirr, told Daily Mail Australia Dr Steel will be contesting the allegations.
Police are currently seeking an apprehended violence order on Ms Steel’s behalf.
Dr Steel notified the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency of the charges, and in turn had his licence suspended on February 11.
A source close to the hospital told Daily Mail Australia that patients have been left in the lurch about future surgeries.
Dr Tim Steel’s wife Emma (centre) alongside Roxy Jacenko (left) and another friend (right) at a social event
‘Some patients have been trying to get in touch with him for days and they’ve been told he’s on unexpected leave. They seem to be left in the dark about things.
‘It’s a shambles.’
St Vincent’s Hospital has been informed of the suspension and will not comment on the matter because it is personal in nature, not professional.
A hearing for one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one count of damaging property and the AVO application has been scheduled in Downing Centre Local Court for March 6.
Dr Steel is one of Australia’s leading neurosurgeons – but is currently suspended from practising due to the charges
Emma Steel (centre) pictured at a Christmas lunch at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Silver Committee in 2014
The couple have been married since 2008.
A spokesman from NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia officers were called to a home in Bellevue Hill in December to respond to allegations of domestic violence.
‘Following inquiries, police arrested a 56-year-old man,’ police said.
‘He was charged with three offences – assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and maliciously damage property,’ the statement read.
The Steels married in 2008 after Emma split with her previous husband, jockey Shane Dye (pictured in 2016)