The Department of Health has confirmed it is investigating allegations that Colac Area Health staff and family members posed as Urgent Care patients during a visit by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas.
The Colac Herald received leaked documentation supporting the allegation this week with an anonymous source urging the Herald to inform the community of the Ministerial ruse.
Colac Area Health’s Urgent Care receives more than 10,000 presentations a year despite only being equipped for a maximum of 6500.
But the Herald understands that Urgent Care was relatively quiet on the morning of the Health Minister’s visit on August 9, scheduled at 1pm, until the alleged “fake patients” arrived from 12.30pm onwards.
Ten Colac Area Health staff or relatives of staff are believed to have presented to the Urgent Care department within the space of half an hour.
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Where To BuyThe list of temporary patients even included a relative of a staff member’s partner who arrived by ambulance, according to documentation.
All 10 of the questionable Urgent Care arrivals were recorded in the CAH system and then cancelled after the Minister’s departure without being discharged.
CAH board chair Tim Greene, and senior Colac Area Health staff including CEO Fiona Brew and Acting Director of Nursing Leah Foster were among staff present for the tour with the Minister.
However, CAH did not specifically respond to the Herald’s questions about fake patients during the Ministerial visit to Urgent Care.
A CAH spokesperson said “our community is at the heart of everything we do, and we take all complaints and feedback seriously”.
“We are aware of an anonymous complaint which is being appropriately actioned, and we are unable to comment further at this time.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said the department was “aware of a complaint made and continues to investigate the allegations raised”.
“We’re working closely with Colac Area Health on the matter and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said “AV has been made aware of the allegation and is investigating”.
The Herald understands the Victorian Ombudsman was contacted regarding the allegation however the Ombudsman could “not confirm or deny if an investigation is being conducted”.