Investigation launched into Epworth Geelong hospital drinking claims

Epworth Healthcare has launched an investigation after photos showing three theatre employees allegedly drinking in an Epworth Geelong office have surfaced.

Epworth Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

Epworth Healthcare has launched an investigation after photos showing three theatre employees allegedly drinking in an office at its Geelong hospital circulated among staff.

According to an email obtained by the Geelong Advertiser, the photos were sent anonymously to Epworth Healthcare chief executive Professor Andrew Stripp by someone claiming to be a former employee.

“Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We will investigate promptly,” Mr Stripp replied in the email seen by the Addy.

The Geelong Advertiser is not aware of any restriction on staff having knock-off drinks in an office after a shift has finished.

However, the unknown sender said they and other nursing staff were “concerned” by the behaviour and had made complaints to management that fell on deaf ears.

The pictures show three males in scrubs and hair nets sitting around a desk.

Two of the men appear to have cans of beer.

Epworth Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

An idle computer desktop in the background of the photo suggests it was likely late in the afternoon.

The Geelong Advertiser has chosen not to name the men in the photograph and it is not suggested that they were still on shift at the time the photos were taken.

An Epworth Healthcare spokeswoman said she was aware of the matter.

“We are investigating,” she said.

“We will not comment further on individual staff matters.”

The email’s sender claimed drinking in the office was the cultural norm and had been reported to superiors who they claimed “would’ve known”.

They said it was not uncommon for theatre technicians, surgeons and anaesthetists to have a drink in an office.

“These photos are clearly selfies and have been shared,” the person said.

“I wonder what the health insurance companies would think of this?”

Epworth HealthCare chief executive Professor Andrew Stripp.

The Epworth spokeswoman said the hospital did hold an appropriate licence for alcohol to be served on premises, where permitted within an individual patient’s clinical care plan or for sanctioned events under controlled conditions.

She did not comment directly on whether drinking on hospital grounds after a shift was condoned

She said the hospital had a “strict drug and alcohol policy that align(ed) with Australian standards and legislation”.

“This policy is designed to ensure a safe, respectful and impairment-free workplace, and is strictly adhered to across our hospitals.

“We do hold an appropriate licence for alcohol to be served on premises, where it is permitted within an individual patient’s clinical care plan or for sanctioned events under controlled conditions,” she said.

“Epworth Healthcare takes all concerns about staff conduct and patient safety very seriously.

The spokeswoman said Epworth also had a dedicated and confidential whistleblower program for both current and former staff. 

Originally published as Investigation launched into Epworth Geelong hospital drinking claims