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Sunshine North GP probed over fake vaccine exemptions
A GP in Melbourne’s west is the latest medical practitioner to be investigated for allegedly issuing falsified COVID-19 exemptions.
Dr Mark Hobart of North Sunshine Surgery is being investigated over claims he faked COVID-19 vaccine records either by issuing fraudulent exemptions or falsifying whether a vaccine has been administered, the Victorian Department of Health has confirmed.
Dr Mark Hobart.Credit: MCJ Report
Calls to the clinic by The Sunday Age have gone unanswered this week, but multiple signs on the door and windows of Dr Hobart’s clinic on McIntyre Road state the clinic was shut down by authorities.
“The Victorian government has banned patients from entering this surgery because Dr Hobart refused to surrender your private and confidential patient files,” the sign states.
Dr Hobart is well known within anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown social media groups, and penned an open letter in May to Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, making unsubstantiated claims that aged care patients were at risk from COVID-19 vaccinations and urging the use of Ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug that has not been proven to treat the virus.
A Google review for his clinic posted a week ago claims “Dr Hobert (sic) hands out fake covid medical exemptions. If you need one see this guy.”
The investigation into Dr Hobart follows recent probes into other Victorian medical operators.
A Department of Health spokesman said allegations about the clinic had been reported to the federal medical watchdog, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
“While the regulation of general practitioners is a matter for federal authorities, we will always protect Victorians and Victoria’s health system from fraudulent practice,” he said.
“We’re investigating reports of a small number of GPs issuing false vaccination certificates and exemptions and we’re working together with relevant enforcement agencies to ensure swift action is taken.”
A spokeswoman for the regulator said the watchdog could not comment on the Sunshine GP specifically “in order to protect the integrity of the [investigation]”.
“The consequences of providing an exemption when it is not warranted could be significant,” she said.
“If a notification is made to us that a practitioner is providing exemptions in circumstances other than those described in the [official] advice, we will investigate.
North Sunshine Surgery, Dr Mark Hobart’s GP clinic, closed on Saturday, November 6, with numerous signs stating authorities had banned patients from entering.Credit: Rachael Dexter
“We will consider each case on its individual facts but an investigation could lead to restrictions on a practitioner’s registration. This could affect their ability to continue to provide exemptions, to manage patients in relation to COVID-19, or where there is significant continuing risk or it is in the public interest, could result in a suspension of registration.”
Vaccine exemptions can only be issued on specific medical grounds, including a severe reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or an acute medical illness that allows for a temporary delay in vaccination.
The only people who cannot receive any of the three coronavirus vaccines available are those who are allergic to polyethylene glycol, which is in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and polysorbate 80, which is in the AstraZeneca vaccine.
One of the signs at Dr Hobart’s clinic.Credit: Rachael Dexter
Dr Hobart, a former Democratic Labour Party candidate, was the subject of a 2013 AHPRA probe into his refusal to provide an abortion.
He was threatened with deregistration after he refused to provide a referral for a couple who he claimed wanted an abortion at 19 weeks because they desired a boy rather than a girl.
The GP also appeared on a podcast in May with Melbourne-based anti-vaccine, anti-lockdown activist Morgan Jonas and has spoken at anti-lockdown rallies during the pandemic.
Individuals with concerns about the behaviour of registered health practitioners can inform the medical regulator online or by calling 1300 419 495.
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