One of nearly 500 text messages a nurse sent to his patient said: “Slept in your bed yesterday. Still had ur scent in the room.” Enrolled nurse Anthony Elliott was working at the South Coast Private Hospital, in Wollongong in 2014, when he initiated a relationship with a woman being treated for severe mental health issues. At first he talked to her about his family and personal life, but then began sitting on her bed so their bodies were touching. Then he watched her as she slept, kissed her, exchanged sexually explicit text messages, and took her for a drive around a lake to profess his love. All the while, he was telling the woman he had some reluctance about their relationship because it was forbidden. “I am scared someone [will] find out and I’m out [of] a job and registration,” Mr Elliott wrote in a text message. On Friday, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal cancelled Mr Elliott’s nursing registration after the Health Care Complaints Commission applied for disciplinary action. The tribunal noted the woman, who can be identified only as Patient A, was in hospital several times after having a mental breakdown, and had suicidal thoughts, mania and major depression. At one point she was experiencing insomnia and lowered inhibitions. A peer review report before the tribunal said Mr Elliott was aware of the woman’s condition, and his conflicting messages about his feelings were “disturbing”, most likely adding to her confusion, distrust and distress. The tribunal heard that when Patient A made a complaint to the hospital, and was admitted for further treatment, Mr Elliott’s text messages to the woman turned sour. Mr Elliott cannot reapply for a review of the cancellation for three years.
February 7, 2017
The Federal Circuit Court of Australia has ruled that the adverse action claim brought by Sarah Jane Watson against Uniting Care NSW.ACT was misconceived.
February 7, 2017
High-profile Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon Cesido Colagrande has been handed a nine month suspended jail term after being found guilty of the sexual assault of a female patient in May 2015. The Southport District Court jury of six men and six women reached their verdict after deliberating for less than three hours today. Dr Ces — as he is known to his patients — was charged with the sexual assault of a female patient in 2015. The court heard last week Colagrande, 48, is alleged to have pulled the 24-year-old adult entertainer toward him and asked her to have sex with him during a follow-up consultation after a breast augmentation, in May two years ago. He is also alleged to have slapped her on the bottom and told her she had “blow job lips”. Colagrande pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual assault at the start of the trial last Monday. When he took the stand to give evidence last week, Colagrande denied the assault occurred. The court heard the office walls were thin and there were several patients in the waiting room at the time the doctor allegedly propositioned the woman to have sex in his office.
February 7, 2017
The Health Services Union and Scope will contest a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Commissioner Cribb in the Fair Work Commission 11 Exhibition Street Melbourne at 10am.
February 7, 2017
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Australian Capital Territory as represented by the Health Directorate will argue a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Deputy President Kovacic in the Fair Work Commission CML Building 17-21 University Avenue Canberra at 9.30am.
February 6, 2017
A former nursing home boss who paid herself $20,000 from the bank account of a disabled patient is back working in aged care after a six-month suspension. VCAT documents reveal Ruth Fields, formerly known as Ruth Welling, manipulated an intellectually disabled wheelchair-bound woman to make herself the patient’s legal financial guardian. Mrs Fields, who was chief executive of AdventCare at the time of the incident, has returned to work at a Cheltenham nursing home in an office role.
February 6, 2017
The Presbyterian Church of Victoria Social Services Committee is being pursued over a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) lodged by staffer Boyce.
February 6, 2017
The Health Services Union and Mirridong Services Inc are debating a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Commissioner Harper-Greenwell in Court 3 & Conference Room B – Level 6 in Melbourne at 10am.
