Victorian hospital used fake patients during MP visit, whistleblower claims

A local health service in Victoria is facing bizarre claims it organised fake patients for a government visit last year. The initial story by the Colac Herald detailed claims from a whistleblower that fake staff and patients were arranged to stage an emergency department at Colac Area Health back in August when Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas had visited. The Health Minister’s office was notified, who then notified the state’s corruption watchdog of the claims – which then decided not to investigate. A Victorian Health Department investigation has been launched into the claims. “If these allegations prove to be true, this is a very significant breach of trust that has been perpetrated by some in the health service,” Ms Thomas said. “I certainly would take a very dim view of any employees or others who have been involved in this.”