Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
Royal Darwin Hospital apologises after pregnant patients’ details posted online
Royal Darwin Hospital apologised after patients’ medical details appeared on Instagram in Darwin, Australia.
The information concerned about a dozen pregnant women and was shared with an account’s 28,000 followers.
The exposed details included names, health records and care plans, as well as a video of staff discussing a patient’s care.
The posts were linked to Dr Neda Mogharehabed, an overseas-trained doctor attached to the hospital as a medical observer.
She has not confirmed that she posted them, saying she cannot verify where the images came from and did not intend to disclose patient information.
The hospital says her attachment to NT Health has ended, and it sent apology letters to affected patients.
The breach matters because pregnancy appointments can involve highly personal health and life experiences, and patients may worry about their privacy and trust in care.
The hospital’s apology is the next step described; no further action is stated.
Royal Darwin Hospital apologised after confidential information about about a dozen pregnant patients was shared on Instagram.
The posts reached an account’s 28,000 followers and included patient details and a video of a staff meeting discussing a woman’s care.
The hospital said an overseas-trained doctor attached as a medical observer had posted the material, and that her attachment had since been terminated.
Dr Neda Mogharehabed said she could not verify how the images were posted and did not intend to disclose patient information.
Affected patient Shanelle Tobin described the breach as shocking but said she planned to continue receiving care at the hospital.
- Who
- Royal Darwin Hospital and about a dozen pregnant patients, including Shanelle Tobin. The hospital identified Dr Neda Mogharehabed as an overseas-trained medical observer.
- What
- Patient medical details and a staff-meeting video were shared on Instagram. The hospital apologised to affected patients.
- When
- The hospital said the incident had occurred; Tobin said she attended an appointment two weeks before the ABC report. The articles were published on October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Royal Darwin Hospital in Darwin, and an Instagram account with 28,000 followers.
- Why
- Not stated. The doctor said she did not intend to disclose patient information and could not verify how the images were posted.
Royal Darwin Hospital
Dr Neda Mogharehabed
Responsibility for the posts
Royal Darwin Hospital
The hospital said an overseas-trained doctor attached to its obstetrics and gynaecology unit had posted images and videos to social media.
Dr Neda Mogharehabed
Mogharehabed said she could not confirm how the images were posted or whether they came from an account she controlled.
Intent
Royal Darwin Hospital
The hospital described the posts as a privacy breach and apologised to affected patients.
Dr Neda Mogharehabed
Mogharehabed said she did not intend to disclose patient information and takes patient privacy seriously.
Tobin said she attended an appointment at Royal Darwin Hospital and was asked whether she consented to a medical observer being present.
A member of the public alerted Tobin that her name and information had appeared online.
Royal Darwin Hospital had sent apology letters to affected patients and terminated the medical observer’s attachment to NT Health.
- Affected patients
- About a dozen pregnant women
- Instagram audience
- 28,000 followers
- Information exposed
- Names, hospital record numbers, ward and bed numbers, medical history and care plans
- Hospital
- Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin
- Medical observer
- Dr Neda Mogharehabed
- Publication date
- October 25, 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
You should not have had to experience this and we are deeply sorry.
I did not intend to disclose any patient information
It was obviously shocking
I will put my trust back into those people because I know this is one individual who's decided to act in a certain way