Name suppression to be fought

Name suppression will continue for a doctor charged with sex crimes.

The Crown intends to fight name suppression for a Hawke's Bay doctor charged with sex crimes.

During his appearance in Hastings District Court yesterday the 40-year-old doctor, who faces 13 charges including stupefying young men and indecently assaulting them, successfully argued for continued name suppression until next year.

While the Crown didn't oppose suppression at yesterday's hearing, the court heard a future bid for suppression will be opposed at a separate hour-long hearing ahead of his next appearance in January.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh yesterday asked whether the doctor was still practising. Defence lawyer Eric Forster confirmed he was still working, yet was being "supervised in two forms".

Mr Forster was acting on behalf of the doctor's assigned counsel and well-known Auckland based medical lawyer Harry Waalkens, QC.

The doctor stood silent in the dock with his hands in his pockets throughout yesterday's appearance. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges and elected a trial by jury.

The charges, relating to four complainants between January and September last year, are alleged to have taken place in a treatment cubicle, a toilet and darkened surgical room.

Judge Mackintosh said the "large number of charges" were "complex" and granted name suppression.

She told the court to set aside at least one hour for what's expected to be a strongly contested application for further suppression.

It's understood the doctor's practising certificate runs until February next year, however, the Medical Council of New Zealand has imposed conditions.

Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 a chaperone must be present at all consultations with patients. The chaperone must be a healthcare worker with no personal relationship with the patient.

The man must also log all consultations including a record of the name of the chaperone at each consultation.

The court heard the doctor had surrendered his passport at the time of his arrest.