Ex-Geelong hospital nurse Erin Buckland deregistered

A former Geelong hospital nurse who faked medical certificates and stole drugs from work has been stripped of her registration.

Geelong Magistrates Court Picture: Mitch Bear

An ex-Geelong hospital nurse who faked medical certificates and stole drugs from work has been stripped of her registration.

Erin Buckland’s case was heard before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on March 6, but the ex-nurse failed to appear.

The court heard she pleaded guilty to nine criminal offences in the Geelong Magistrates Court in 2018 after drugs, a Barwon Health medical certificate book and pharmacy certificates were found at her home.

Two years later she was found guilty of a further four charges relating to falsifying medical certificates and more drugs found at her home.

“An analysis of Ms Buckland’s phone revealed text messages between Ms Buckland and other parties inquiring if they want Ms Buckland to get them anything from work before she leaves,” the court heard.

Ms Buckland had previously told the court: “the drugs that were found at her home were not stolen but had been inadvertently brought home by her”.

But VCAT panel members – who were nurses – found some of the drugs were not “typically or frequently” used in an emergency department and would be “unusual” to have in her pocket.

“The Board also pointed out that a whole box of medication and other large quantities were found at her home (and would be unlikely to fit into her pocket or be forgotten),” it read.

Ms Buckland also failed to inform the board of a change to her criminal history when applying to renew her nursing registration.

The court heard she’d assumed her criminal history had not changed because she was found guilty without conviction.

Under federal law, a health practitioner must give the board written notice if a “relevant event”, like criminal charges, has occurred within seven days.

The board submitted Buckland’s behaviour demonstrated a “lack of insight” and “understanding” into the seriousness of the charges, rather than a deliberate attempt to hide her criminal convictions.

Buckland also previously denied making false medical certificates, stating another person had used her computer to create the documents.

“She understood that as it was her computer that was being used, if she contested the charges and was found guilty, it was likely she would receive a jail sentence,” the court heard.

“Ms Buckland reiterated that she would never write a medical certificate as she was not a doctor.”

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the local health authority had no comment on matters before the tribunal.

“This person ceased employment with Barwon Health in early 2018,” she said.

Originally published as Ex-Geelong hospital nurse Erin Buckland deregistered