Police investigate alleged pretend medic employed at major hospital

A woman could face charges of fraud after allegedly posing as a doctor for eight months at Sydney’s Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.

Sydney’s Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is at the centre of a new controversy after it was revealed an alleged fake doctor worked there for eight months.

NSW Police have launched an inquiry into a young woman who allegedly faked her qualifications while she was working at the major hospital in south-west Sydney.

The 27-year-old was sacked by the hospital on Monday after it discovered she was not registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which accredits all medical professionals. She had worked at the hospital as a trainee doctor since January.

The hospital on Tuesday referred the matter to NSW Police for investigation. The woman could face criminal charges, including fraud.

A woman allegedly posing as a fake doctor worked at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital for eight months. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital discovered on Monday an employee was not registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,” a hospital spokeswoman said.

“This person was immediately removed from their duties and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital referred the matter to NSW Police for investigation.

“This person worked at the hospital from January to August 2021 and was fully supervised throughout that time.

“The hospital is also conducting an internal investigation, and has reported the matter to AHPRA.”

The woman allegedly falsified her graduating certificates after failing her final medical exams, Seven News reported.

Her eight-month deception was exposed on Monday when colleagues asked her to provide further documents proving she was qualified for the role.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said NSW Health reported the matter to them on Tuesday. The woman has not been charged with any offence.

The allegations are the latest in a string of scandals at the understaffed hospital, the biggest of which claimed the life of a newborn after a gas supply mix up in July, 2016.

Another baby was left with brain damage after the same mix-up in June of the same year.

Last month, the NSW Coroner heard baby John Ghanem lived for just one hour before nitrous oxide gas was mistakenly pumped into his lungs instead of oxygen, robbing him of a chance at life back.

The coroner heard the faulty operating theatre where he died was in service for more than a week after the tragedy.

The hospital has also previously been fined for dumping radioactive waste in with its general rubbish.