Minister also awaiting detail on CCC’s medical device kickback probe charges
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls says he has not yet been briefed on details of staff in his department accused of receiving kickbacks for allowing a medical device company’s devices to be used in public hospitals.
This comes as the medical device industry raised concerns about the alleged conduct, with a healthcare industry insider telling this imprint that the firm involved is expected to be a smaller operator that may no longer be in business.
The state’s Crime and Corruption Commission on Thursday announced charges of fraud, official corruption and abuse against four people in connection with the alleged scheme, while an arrest warrant was issued for a fifth.
Representatives of a medical device company allegedly made secret payments to public officials in exchange for the marketing of their devices, while the officials are also accused of failing to disclose the payments and their involvement in the company.
Since the four men appeared in court in January, few details have been released by the anti-corruption agency, the Health Ombudsman or the ministry, which is assisting in what has been described as a comprehensive investigation.
Nicholls told reporters in Brisbane on Friday morning that he had not yet been informed of the identities of those involved and whether they had withdrawn.
“We are awaiting information about the names of these employees and who they are… We have not been notified by the CCC,” Nicholls said.
“I wish I could give you more information. But as I said, while the matter is still with the CCC, I think it is appropriate to allow the CCC to continue their investigations and complete what is clearly a very significant allegation of fraud.”
He said no patient safety concerns had been raised and that the allegations related to “how medical equipment will be used and placed in our hospitals and the incentives associated with that.”
Nicholls said the charges relate to activity dating back to 2019 or 2020. A healthcare industry source, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, said they understood the firm involved was a smaller operator that may no longer be trading.
Ian Burgess, chief executive of the Australian Medical Technology Association, the industry’s peak body, told this imprint: “These are serious allegations that have been properly presented to the courts.”
Given the ongoing investigation and the lack of detail released by the corruption watchdog, Burgess said his organization could not comment further but had a code of practice developed with consumers and other community groups.
“Compliance with the law is mandatory for MTAA members, and the law ensures that healthcare professionals and hospital officials are not influenced through financial or other incentives in their decision-making regarding the use of devices,” he said.
“Any solicitation is strictly against the rules. MTAA calls for non-MTAA medical device manufacturers and suppliers to be required by law or regulation to comply with such a code of practice.”
The health ministry declined to comment on the issue. The corruption watchdog said it would not comment further while the matter was before the courts. The health ombudsman also refused to comment, citing confidentiality provisions in the law.
But an ombudsman spokesman said the office “conducts investigations into individual healthcare practitioners where there may be evidence of professional misconduct or where there may be evidence that the practitioner poses a serious risk.”
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Matt Dennien is a reporter for the Brisbane Times covering state politics and public services. He previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
