Maidstone docs probed over fake vax certificates

A medical clinic in Melbourne’s west is being investigated over allegations doctors issued dodgy Covid vaccination certificates and exemptions.

A medical clinic in Maidstone is being probed over allegations doctors are issuing fake vaccine certificates.

Health authorities are probing a medical clinic in Melbourne’s west after doctors allegedly falsified Covid vaccine passports and granted invalid exemptions.

The Health Department confirmed it was aware of allegations against Ashley Street Medical Centre in Maidstone with the matter referred to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The small suburban clinic is run by Dr Michael Lee and Dr Eva Wong, who specialise in acupuncture, plasma rich platelet therapy and allergy testing.

A concerned neighbour who did not want to be named said “hundreds” of people had lined up outside the centre in the early hours of the morning until late at night in recent weeks.

“I have no idea what’s going on in the clinic but I noticed from very early in the morning there is a very long queue of people. Even at 3am in the morning they queue up there with sleeping bags and a pillow, they lay down right in front of the clinic,” she said.

The woman attended the centre earlier this month to make an appointment and was given a note by a staff member that read: “Dr Lee cannot see patient who want Covid vaccine (sic) because someone complained to the authorities. He has closed his vaccination centre. Please go to another centre. Sorry.”

The Sunday Herald Sun is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they are being investigated.

Dozens of people – many young men and maskless – lined up outside on Friday despite a sign stating the clinic would be closed until December.

When asked, a group of young men said they were waiting in line for their vaccine after making a booking online.

Victoria Police confirmed it had attended the centre on Thursday afternoon and again on Friday morning to reports of large crowds lined up outside.

“Police received reports of a large number of people gathering outside the clinic for vaccination-related matters. The crowd was dispersed without incident,” a police statement said.

“Police are investigating if anyone who attended the medical centre breached the chief health officer’s directions.”

The Health Department confirmed it held concerns about a small number of doctors who could be undermining the vaccine rollout.

“We are investigating reports of GPs breaching CHO directions and are actively considering all options, including compliance, enforcement and regulatory avenues,” a spokesperson said.

“While the regulation of general practitioners is a matter for the federal government, we will always protect Victorians and Victoria’s health system from fraudulent practice.”

An AHPRA spokesperson said “public protection” was its number one priority.

“We regulate registered health practitioners rather than practices. That said, confidentiality provisions in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law prevent us from commenting on individual matters unless that information is publicly available, such as conditions on the public register of practitioners or an outcome of a tribunal hearing,” an AHPRA spokesperson said.

“When providing care, advice or sharing information online, registered health practitioners have a professional obligation to provide information that is evidence-based, in line with the best available health advice, and is consistent with public health messaging.”

The Sunday Herald Sun made repeated attempts to contact the medical centre.