How Australia's top breast cancer surgeon has become embroiled in an ugly spat with her neighbours after they repeatedly dobbed her in to authorities for using a home helper during lockdown
A top breast cancer surgeon has become locked in an ugly spat with her neighbours after they reported her to authorities for using a home helper during lockdown.
Dr Chantel Thornton, who is married to renowned car dealer Srecko Lorbek, has been repeatedly dobbed in by her Melbourne neighbours for using the services of a helper - despite him having a legitimate worker's permit.
The man also works as a nanny for her one-year-old baby.
Renowned breast cancer surgeon Dr Chantel Thornton is fed up with her neighbours reporting her to authorities for having a home helper on call during lockdown in Melbourne
She said her neighbours' constant dobbing in her home helper is becoming 'very nasty'
Dr Thornton pictured with her husband Srecko Lorbek. He is a renowned celebrity car dealer
'The building I live in, they are very difficult,' Dr Thornton said.
'They have been reporting him (home helper) every time he comes. Some nights I'm out all night operating. I need help in the home.'
The frustrated doctor said the worker has been helping her in some capacity for the past 17 years and that the situation was becoming 'very nasty', The Herald Sun reported.
'They haven’t wanted to allow our support person in, the person who helps look after our home and looks after Thornton and with the cleaning and helps me out,' she said.
Dr Thornton said she has called Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services to ensure her helper could legally work at her home.
She said the authorities have confirmed he has a valid reason, and that it is 'fine'.
The highly-regarded surgeon has previously revealed she is a self-confessed workaholic, often working 12-15 hour days.
The young mother was dux of her medical school in Tasmania before going on to complete her honours degree in medical science at the University of Hong Kong.
Doctor Chantel Thornton is famed for her personal touch, and works around the clock as she juggles work with motherhood
The highly-regarded surgeon has previously revealed she is a self-confessed workaholic, often working 12-15 hour days
She went on to complete her surgical training at The Alfred Hospital and finished her surgical fellowship at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in 2010.
These days she runs a thriving public practice in Melbourne, with her personal touch for women enduring breast cancer earning her global plaudits.
Dr Thornton recently said studies show high stress levels can impact survival rates, so she offers immediate treatment to her patients, even offering her mobile number so they know they can call her at any hour.
The esteemed doctor runs a thriving public practice in Melbourne, with her personal touch for women enduring breast cancer earning her global plaudits
She also encourages women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to think carefully when choosing a surgeon and medical team.
'I encourage them to choose a surgeon that's a similar age to them,' she explained.
'You're going to get to know them over a long period of time and you don't want to have to change halfway through the journey if your surgeon retires or moves on.'