Gold Coast University Hospital morgue under investigation after claims of bullying

An investigation is underway into the workings of a Gold Coast morgue over claims of bullying, making false complaints, computer hacking and failure to show dignity to deceased persons.

AN investigation is underway into the workings of a Gold Coast morgue over claims of bullying, making false complaints, computer hacking and failure to show dignity to deceased persons.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) initially investigated the allegations, but handed them back to Queensland Health, who has hired an independent external investigator to look into the matters.

The allegations relate to a number of complaints made both internally and by funeral home directors about the Gold Coast University Hospital morgue.

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An investigation is underway into the workings of a Gold Coast morgue.

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The complaint about failure to show dignity to deceased persons was made after the naked bodies of dead people in the morgue were allegedly shown to funeral home directors.

A number of bullying complaints have been made against staff, while the computer hacking relates to the unnecessary access of personal information of the deceased, it is alleged.

The morgue is run by Health Support Queensland, a division of Queensland Health. One employee from Gold Coast Health also works in the department.

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A spokesman for the CCC said the corruption watchdog was no longer investigating the claims, but would continue to oversee the investigation and receive a report from Queensland Health.

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The morgue is at Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Mike Batterham

“The CCC received a complaint and it was assessed,” the spokesman said. “Some matters were referred to Queensland Health to deal with.”

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the allegations were being treated seriously.

“The Crime and Corruption Commission referred the matter to Queensland Health to manage and an independent external investigator has been engaged to conduct a workplace investigation into this matter,” the spokeswoman said.

“Queensland Health will provide the CCC with the outcome of this investigation once completed.

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“Queensland Health takes allegations of bullying and harassment seriously. All complaints are addressed in accordance with relevant complaint management policies and procedures.”

No-one has been charged.

The investigation comes after a Gold Coast police officer was cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to allegations she took kickbacks from funeral homes and interfered with bodies at the morgue.

“The Queensland Police Service (QPS) was assigned the task of investigating allegations in relation to an officer from the Gold Coast district,” a police spokeswoman said.

“These allegations were referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission for consideration. “In October, the CCC determined to refer this matter back to the QPS for investigation, subject to the CCC’s monitoring role.

“The officer was redeployed to a different work area pending the investigation.

“The Ethical Standards Command investigation has been finalised and the officer has been cleared, subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission. 

“The internal investigation was finalised on February 13, 2019 and the officer’s redeployment was revoked on February 14, 2019. The officer is currently on leave.”