The Victorian government is investigating allegations that staff and family members at a hospital in the state's south-west posed as urgent care patients during a visit by the Health Minister. The so-called "fake patients" were allegedly organized to appear at the hospital's urgent care department during a visit by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas in August last year.
The minister confirmed that an investigation was underway but said she had no knowledge of or involvement in the alleged ploy. Colac Area Health confirmed it was aware of the complaint and that an investigation was underway.
Councillor Max Arnott, who is also a Colac Area Health Foundation board chair, said he was "not so much concerned about what actually happened" during the visit. He expressed concern about the motivation of the staff and family members, which he believed was to ensure that Colac has the best health service possible.
However, Councillor Tosh-Jake Finnigan said someone needed to be held accountable if the allegations were true. They raised concerns for the effect it could have on the relationship between all levels of government and the local health service.
The Victorian Opposition Leader criticized the Health Minister for failing to alert the community of the incident when it was reported to IBAC. He called on the government to commission "a truly independent inquiry" into the matter.
Local Liberal MP Richard Riordan, whose wife works at the hospital in a non-clinical role, appeared to back the ruse. He said that demonstrating the stressors and strains of a busy country urgent care to the minister on a rare visit had validity.