The Nurse: Midnight paedophile strikes in children’s ward, explosive corruption allegations
Further allegations of historic sex crimes at Launceston General Hospital have come to light – and claims of cover ups and corruption months after paedophile nurse James Geoffrey Griffin was outed. PODCAST + LATEST >>
Tasmania
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SENSATIONAL claims of cover ups and corruption in one of Tasmania’s major hospitals have come to light, as a man breaks his silence over another alleged paedophile nurse.
Ben Felton, 44, was abused by a nurse in Launceston General Hospital as a teenager, according to independent journalist Camille Bianchi, in her podcast The Nurse, where last year she revealed the horrific crimes of James Geoffrey Griffin.
Griffin was charged with a dozen child sex abuse offences after 30 years working at the hospital. He committed suicide shortly after he was charged.
Mr Felton was 13 in 1989 when he was admitted to the hospital’s paediatric ward with a case of pneumonia.
“This was back when they didn’t have rooms, it was just one big room … about 11.30 at night I asked the nurse who was on shift for a drink of water,” he told the podcast.
“(The nurse) took me into the hospital pantry or kitchen … and gave me a glass of water. He then started feeling my abdomen and asking me a lot of questions.
“He then pulled my pants down and he touched me while he was smiling.”
Mr Felton alleges he slapped the man’s hand away and “bolted”.
Sources in the podcast allege a deal was made with Ben’s parents after the young boy told his father what happened.
A senior hospital employee ‘Steve’ allegedly promised Mr Felton’s family the nurse would be reprimanded and his permanent record would be marked.
‘Steve’ allegedly quashed any claims of child sex abuse in the ward, according to the nurses.
The alleged paedophile nurse was “shuffled” away, according to Ms Bianchi – but another ex-employee said the man tried to get a job in the ward again 12-13 years later and remains employed in Tasmania’s health system.
There are also claims the man worked in other institutions with children including the Scouts.
After years of red tape and frustration attempting to follow up what happened to him as a child, Mr Felton finally acquired hard copies of the nurses reports from 1989.
“So now I’ve got the records and it wasn’t a figment of my imagination and it did get brushed under the carpet … (Steve’s) probably forgotten all about this, but I certainly haven’t,” Mr Felton said.
Since the claims last year the State Government has stood down 13 public service employees in response to sexual abuse or misconduct reports.
However it refuses to release further details about any allegations until claims are fully investigated.
Last month Marcia Neave was announced as the president for the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse in government institutions.
Tasmania’s equivalent of a Royal Commission, the broad-ranging inquiry will have the power to hold hearings in public, to call witnesses and to demand the production of documents.
It replaced three inquiries that had already announced: into allegations of abuse in the Health Department, the education department and in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Premier Peter Gutwein acknowledged the podcast, however refused to make comment on whether the nurse was still working in Tasmania’s health system.
“I read and heard of Mr Felton’s circumstances over the last 24 hours. Firstly can I just say it’s brave he has brought these matters forward,” he said.
“In terms of these matters, the one thing I’m certain that all of the brave victims that have raised these matters want to be assured of is that the government does not engage in discussion about matters that might ultimately prejudice justice being served.”
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Child Safety, Sarah Lovell, said the latest allegations further demonstrate the State Government’s secrecy.
“There is already an unacceptable level of secrecy surrounding the 13 people who to date have been stood down in the public sector, pending further investigation into abuse claims,” she said.
“The Premier, Peter Gutwein, and his Ministers have not adequately explained why they are refusing to release details of the agencies accused individuals worked in.”
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch said they were offering full support to the matter being thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“The ANMF were not aware of these allegations when they were made 31 years ago, however, we support Ben and any individual in raising any instances of abuse or inappropriate conduct with Tasmania Police,” said ANMF Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd.
“ANMF members on Ward 4K have been instrumental in having the Commission of Inquiry established to examine child sexual abuse at the Launceston General Hospital and other Government institutions.”
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