Victor Bennett: Health care provider banned over qualification ‘forgery’

A Melton South health services provider has been banned from the industry as a “serious risk” to welfare but claims bad luck ruined his life.

A general health provider in Melton South has been permanently banned from the industry for posing a “serious risk” to the public.

Victor Bennett, who operated Engaging Care and Men’s First MHS out of a Melton South address, has been barred from health work since the Health Complaints Commissioner began an investigation in July 2020.

On Monday, the acting Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner, Elizabeth Langdon, issued a prohibition order against Mr Bennett saying he had provided forged documents in an attempt to receive a qualification he was not entitled to.

“The public has a right to expect that providers will be truthful about the qualifications they hold,” Ms Langdon said.
“Providers who attempt to obtain a qualification they are not entitled to hold breach that trust and put the public at serious risk if they are practising beyond their qualifications and competency.”

The order bans Mr Bennet from offering any health service or operating a business which offers general health services.

Mr Bennett told Leader he never submitted an application to the Australian Counselling Association seeking advancement to a level two or three registered councillor.

He said the application was made shortly after he registered his businesses and that it was the result of a “hack” on his online accounts.

“I don’t know why this happened and I can’t prove I was hacked,” Mr Bennett said.

“It’s been three years of hell, they’re calling me a danger to the community. I have no idea how I’m a danger.”

He said he was a qualified nurse, councillor and life coach who had never practised as a health provider, but instead was working as a trainer for support workers and mental health nurses.

His businesses, he said, were going to fill a gap in the market and provide training for Melbourne’s growing outer west community.

“I never made a cent,” he added.

“Honestly this process has broken me, I’ve lost my home, my marriage and gone bankrupt trying to fight this.”

Responding to Mr Bennett’s claims, Ms Langdon said the commissioner had strict nondisclosure obligations for information gathered through investigations and couldn’t respond directly.

“Information received by my office alleged conduct by Mr Bennett that may have been in contravention of the Code of Conduct for general health service providers,” she said.

She added the investigation had formed the belief Mr Bennett had sought to obtain membership with a professional organisation using falsified documents requiring immediate action to protect public health and safety.

“The safety of Victorians is my number one priority, and I will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, impose prohibition orders on those general health service providers who do the wrong thing,” she said.

“We take any breaches of this code incredibly seriously. I urge anyone with a complaint or a concern about a treatment provider, or any other health service to contact the HCC on 1300 582 133.”