Against a background of the WorkCover compensation scheme operating at a deficit and amid controversial cuts to worker rights and benefits, the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is investigating allegations of fraud conducted by a handful of Melbourne surgeons.
Previous commentary around WorkCover has blamed worker claims for the unsustainability of the scheme, with business groups consistently arguing against an increase in premiums for employers.
Reports coming out of the Royal Melbourne Hospital allege that some surgeons are prioritising more financially rewarding patients (such as WorkCover, TAC and private patients) thus causing delays for public emergency surgeries. Operating on those patients delivers extra remuneration for surgeons in addition to the hourly rate they receive from the public hospital.
In one example from early 2023 it was reported that a woman with a potentially deadly infection waited from 8:30am until late afternoon for surgery due to surgeons prioritising more lucrative cases. The woman’s medical team flagged her surgery as urgent and escalated their concerns about the delay.
In addition to claims that the surgeons were prioritising less clinically urgent surgeries according to their own prospects of financial compensation rather than patient need, other allegedly fraudulent actions are also under the IBAC spotlight. It has been claimed that a small number of surgeons claimed fees for surgeries they were minimally, or not at all, involved in and that some charged for operating on multiple patients at the same time. Sources claim that some surgeons ran multiple operating rooms at once, often leaving registrars to perform surgeries while they wrote operation reports from other locations.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas confirmed that IBAC was investigating the claims. She said, “If this is true, I'm absolutely devastated. This is a breach of trust with the Victorian people.”
Read more: Government confirms IBAC investigation into allegations of fraud at Melbourne hospitals - ABC News
