The Byron Shire Echo

‘NEWSTARTERS – NEXT ROUND’S ON YOU’ The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 34 #18 • Wednesday, October 9, 2019 • www.echo.net.au Calls for culture change at Byron Byron Film Festival is getting ready to launch Hospital after alleged fraud Eve Jeff ery records; that some records showed certain staff were at work when The new Byron Hospital has been they weren’t; and that staff cut plagued by controversy since its short workdays, and records were inception – from its location, to the not adjusted accordingly. Senior inclusion of the ambulance station nursing staff were investigated aft er and the omission of a surgical unit a claim that other staff members – the list goes on. were taken to breakfast off the In recent weeks The Echo has premises during work hours while been contacted by multiple people records showed that all involved regarding widely known allega- were working on site at the tions of fraudulent behaviour and hospital. An allegation that a senior breaches of Health policies and staff member gave a confidential procedures at the hospital. They computer password to a member of say the allegations have been the security staff and allowed him investigated, but the staff have access to the roster system to enter not been told which, if any, allega- false records was also investigated. tions were substantiated or what disciplinary action if any has been Low morale continues taken. Persons alleged to have While all of this was going on, behaved improperly do not appear morale at the hospital was declin- to have received more than a slap ing daily. ‘Everybody knew what on the wrist, and the systems that was going on,’ a staff member told Christian Gibson from Pacifico, BBFF Director J’aimee Skippon-Volke, Chris Gooley also from Pacifico, allowed the potential for fraud to The Echo. ‘We all knew what was designer/creator Simone Ellis from LA Studio and Continuum’s Jack Bailey. Photo Jeff Dawson occur have not been tightened. happening, we were all talking Payroll discrepencies about it in the hallways, but there was nothing anyone could do Time to talk about good mental health It is understood that an internal about it. They had their own little investigation found that certain club.’ Aslan Shand complex and there are many between 15 and 19 years, 40 per cent members of staff , could have Since the conclusion of the factors that contribute to a young of all deaths were a result of a young behaved either fraudulently and/or investigation in July, two staff Mental health is vital for everyone person’s wellbeing. It’s clear from person ending their own life. in contravention of hospital policy members have been exonerated; yet mental illness is the most likely the research that social media is ‘What is particularly concerning and procedures. This followed one senior nurse has retired; a to go underreported according to St something young people have is the rapid increase in the suicide reports of discrepancies between security person has moved on to John’s Ambulance NSW CEO Sarah strong opinions about and it’s rate for young people. Over the hours worked, payroll hours logged other employment in a position of Lance. It is also an increasing issue something that appears to be creat- past 10 years the overall suicide rate and hours people were paid for. trust in the community, and one for young people, with recent data ing more pressure day to day,’ said has increased by approximately 13 Some staff members were put senior nurse has gained employ- released by headspace for Mental headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan. per cent, but the suicide rate for on special leave while an internal ment at another facility. Health Month revealing that nearly young people aged 15 to 19 years investigation took place into their Upon investigation, The Echo two thirds of young Australians (62 Suicide rate increase has increased by more than 70 per work practices. They were paid for could find no reprimands recorded per cent) say that the mental health According to yourtown and Kids cent,’ they say in their recent press 21 weeks work from February to in the Australian Health Practi- of young people is getting worse. Helpline ABS data shows that 458 release. July while the investigation was in tioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) The impact of social media was children and young people aged ‘Ten years ago, children and progress. records. identified by respondents as one of under 25 years died by suicide in teenagers had the lowest suicide Claims investigated included One would think that was the the leading contributors to mental Australia last year. Twenty-two of rate of any age group, but that’s no that two senior staff had not prop- end of it, yet the situation has led illness for young people. them were children aged 14 years or longer the case.’ erly checked the accuracy of roster ▶ Continued on page 2 ‘We know mental health is younger. Amongst adolescents aged ▶ Continued on page 2 Byron Shire A&I mapped Your home is The Good What’s Art for Council out for you your castle Life is sweet happening? arts sake Notices ▶ p8 ▶ p18 ▶ p20 ▶ p22 SEVEN ▶ p32 ▶ p37 High Performance Solar All day & night Juno Energy LG or Sunpower solar systems combined with SolarEdge power optimisation and the option of LG batteries make systems that Looking to do more perform better, all day, and through the night. with your roof? Give us a call! Habitat, Offi ce 8, 20-1 Porter St, Byron Bay w. junoenergy.com.au e. [email protected] m. 0425 256 802 electrical licence no. 255292C CEC member since 2010 Local News For North Coast news online visit lĕŕƐëōĲĕëōƐĲĶŕĪşĈƖƆƐĲĶƆŔşŕƐĲ ▶ Continued from page 1 including depression, anxiety support and this program is the subject of her second or stress can be equally provides a mix of one-on-one memoir Girl Over the Edge Staying healthy as detrimental as physical and group sessions,’ said this Thursday 10 October The seven tips for a injuries or illness, especially Stuart Nunan from The at Murwillumbah library at healthy headspace are: in the workplace. Buttery – who are partners in 11am, and Byron Bay library Get into life; Learn skills for providing the program. at 5.30pm. tough times; Create connec- ōōëīĕƆëǔĕĈƐĕĎ ‘There is a lot of stigma ‘This memoir captures tions; Eat well; Stay active; ‘We know that mental associated with mental the denial, stigma and Get enough sleep; and cut health issues are the most health but it is becoming shame I have in my own back on alcohol and other likely to be unreported,’ said more talked about in social mind about mental illness; drugs. For more information Ms Lance CEO of St John’s media with well known the debilitating physical and on a healthy headspace visit: Ambulance NSW. people providing role mental agony of the illness; https://headspace.org.au/ Locally the Footprints- models. This program assists engagements with health tips. If young people want 2Wellbeing is a program people with developing life professionals, and facing to talk to someone they can that has been launched to skills and helps link them my own mortality,’ said Ms call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 help people 12 and over with with the services and sup- Hodges. 800, 24 hours a day, 7 days mental health. The program port they need.’ As the guest author she a week or use email or web has staff based in towns from hopes to start a discussion counselling services: www. Port Macquarie to Tweed dĶưĕĎĕƶżĕſĶĕŕĈĕ in the community on mental kidshelpline.com.au. Heads, including Bangalow, Author Kim Hodges will be health. The event is free and General & family dentistry St John’s Ambulance NSW Mullumbimby and Byron Bay. discussing her lived experi- you can make a booking to Crowns Bridges & Veneers | Smile Design Software says mental health issues ‘There is a big gap in ence of mental illness that attend on 6685 8540. Laser Treatments | Cosmetic Orthodontics Safe Amalgam Removals | Endodontics Airﬂ ow Tooth Cleaning | Periodontics ƷſşŕLşƆżĶƐëōǼƆƐëǔĈëōōĪşſĈƖōƐƖſĕĈĲëŕīĕ ▶ Continued from page 1 internal matter. charges were laid? the hospital also believe 02 6694 3083 several members of hospital ‘Northern NSW Local Some staff believe there that this should not be an staff to approach The Echo Health District follows NSW is now an ‘us and them’ internal matter and that the Dr Marcus O’Meara because they feel that the Health policy requirements narrative being perpetuated public have a right to know 59/1 Porter Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 consequences of the inves- for managing allegations of at the hospital and they are about it. In particular they tigation, especially if any misconduct by staff ,’ he said. concerned that if staff have point out that thousands of fraud or breaches of health ‘Any substantiated find- ‘gotten away with it’, there is dollars of public funds would policies and procedures ings related to employees nothing stopping the same have been better used at were substantiated, were not are acted on accordingly. thing happening again in the the hospital instead of being adequate. They believe that All investigations of mis- future. potentialy misused. the culture of inappropriate conduct are confidential If no impropriety ‘The investigation only activities is continuing and and NNSWLHD does not occurred, why not advise looked at the allegations of the behaviour and issues disclose information about staff accordingly? fraud from a slice of time,’ from the past and present disciplinary actions taken A recent memo to staff said one person. ‘Not the are being allowed to be against staff to members of suggests the avenue for months, if not years, before- covered up.

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