18 JULY 2025 14 NEWS ausdoc. com. au
18 JULY 2025 14 NEWS ausdoc. com. au
ED accused of doctoring books
AAP |
AAP A HOSPITAL is under investigation |
and that she has ordered the Victorian Department of Health to |
“ It means we are not getting the help we need because, on paper, |
be transferred to emergency care within 40 minutes of arrival. |
|
after clerical staff were accused of |
investigate. |
we are meeting our targets, so |
Northern Health, which runs |
|
doctoring data to hit ambulance |
The claims, published in the |
staff are burning out and leaving |
Northern Hospital, currently aims |
|
ramping targets. |
Herald Sun, are based on screen- |
because, in reality, we are getting |
for 80 % within 40 minutes. |
|
Media reports claim that staff |
shots purporting to show offload |
f logged.” |
Opposition health spokes- |
|
at Melbourne’ s Northern Hospi- |
times being changed by clerical |
Under the rules, an ambulance |
woman Georgie Crozier said the |
|
tal have been routinely altering |
staff, sometimes a day after ini- |
transfer is not considered com- |
problem of“ systematic fudging” |
|
records since 2017 to show patients |
tially being recorded. |
plete until clinical information is |
may be more widespread. |
|
being offloaded from ambulances |
“ It is really widespread, and it |
handed over to an ED doctor and a |
Ms Thomas said there were |
|
within target times. |
is ongoing,” the whistleblower was |
patient has been moved to a hospi- |
“ no financial incentives to cook- |
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. |
Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas says they are“ anonymous allegations to date” |
|
|
|
reported to have said. They claimed management was fully aware of the practice. |
tal bed, care area or waiting room. Victoria’ s statewide benchmark is for 90 % of ambulance patients to |
ing the books”, stressing there was no funding at stake if the hospital failed to hit the targets. |
Join
Engage with over 50,000 doctors, access exclusive content, the latest medical news, samples, CPD events and more.
Discover a better way with
Be part of Australia’ s largest independent community of doctors today.
• Stay up to date with the latest medical news and opinions from leading industry experts, clinical updates and education.
• Library of content that you can search and access for free at any time, including the latest MBS Quick Guide in addition to a back catalogue of more than 100 How to Treat CPD-accredited features.
• Be a part of the medical community and share interesting patient cases, ask questions, join forums and start discussions, and share ideas on topics that interest you.
Tassie’ s pharmacist promise
Antony Scholefield MORE pharmacists will diagnose and prescribe S4 drugs for wounds, reflux and shingles if the Liberal Government is re-elected in Tasmania’ s snap election.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff wants to give pharmacists the authority to manage 23 conditions— broadly reflecting the controversial Queensland pharmacy pilot.
“ It frees up GP appointments for everyone else in Tasmania but, most importantly, also takes the pressure off our EDs,” Mr Rockliff said.
He did not list all 23 conditions when making the announcement but said they would include skin conditions, such as eczema and shingles; ear infections; rhinitis; wounds; and reflux.
AMA Tasmania said Mr Rockliff’ s pledge was dangerous.
“ Politicians keep looking for quick and cheap fixes to a problem, but no matter what they say, it is putting patient safety at risk,” it said in a statement.
“ This is another example of politicians not understanding medicine and the role of a doctor and the role of a pharmacist.
“ Pharmacists are not doctors. They should not be diagnosing conditions, which can look superficial but instead be a pointer to something more serious that requires years of study and practice to understand.
“ Added to this, letting someone prescribe and profit from the same medicine is a clear conflict of interest.”
Tasmanians will return to the polls on 19 July.
AAP
All this, delivered straight to your inbox.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff.