Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Security at every level, from keycards to cameras, was deemed “not fit for purpose” following repeated trespasses by the same individual posing as staff over a six month period.

  • By Jordan Lutke
  • September 26, 2018

Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia is performing a complete, thorough review of their security measures in the wake of learning that a man stole credentials and posed as a doctor for six months in 2017.

Among the systems found to be faulty was the entire CCTV system, comprised of 640 cameras. The system is being wholly replaced as part of the security refresh, but had been identified as needing replacement before this incident.

The card access system, which allowed guests and staff to access otherwise restricted areas of the hospital, was found to be a security risk as well.  The system was only being audited once every few weeks, opening the door for misuse. A new daily check has been instituted to remedy this risk and make patients and staff feel safer.

The intruder managed to steal security cards and slip by undetected for long enough to spur concern amongst health officials like Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates, who said she worried that “if you just threw on a pair of scrubs, put a stethoscope around your neck, had a lanyard around your neck, you could still go around unchallenged in our hospitals.”

In addition to replacing the CCTV system and updating the card access system, the hospital has developed an 11-point action plan to implement recommendations. This plan is to be finalized in early 2019.

About the Author

Jordan Lutke is an intern with 1105 Media.

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