Allegations of fraud and misuse of public money by private doctors will not be investigated by Queensland’s corruption watchdog.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the evidence gathered by Queensland auditor-general Andrew Greaves showed systemic failings and double-dipping by 12 doctors in the state’s public hospitals.
Today the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) announced that while the auditor’s concern was justified there was insufficient evidence of official misconduct to warrant an investigation.
In a report handed to the CCC in January, Mr Greaves alleged that senior medical officers (SMOs) without right of private practice contracts were treating and billing their private patients in public hospitals.
This meant they were being paid by the hospital and earning private sector income at the same time.
Some were allegedly paid overtime while on holidays, others were accused of treating private patients in a public hospital and retained all the income, contrary to their contracts.
The CCC assessment identified information about two senior medical officers it said warranted further examination.
“The CCC determined that these matters could be most appropriately dealt with by the relevant Hospital and Health Service,” it said in a statement.
The allegations prompted the State Government to push ahead with controversial contract arrangements for SMOs, which prompted threats from many doctors across Queensland that they would resign from public hospitals.