Child abuse probe at hand

AN investigation into a nurse who police allege sexually abused children over three decades will begin soon.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the state government had released the terms of reference for the independent investigation into allegations against former Launceston General Hospital employee James Geoffrey Griffin.

Last October, Tasmania Police laid more than a dozen charges against the 69- yearold Legana man who had worked at the LGH’s paediatric ward since 2001.

The charges related to sexual offences against children as young as 11, with allegations reaching back as far as 1987.

He died soon after being charged after taking a dangerous cocktail of drugs.

Senior barrister Maree Norton has been appointed to do the investigation, which is expected to begin as soon as possible.

“There will be an opportunity for members of the public to be able to come forward with information that they would like to provide to the reviewer and we will provide more information about that,” Ms Courtney said.

“It’s my expectation that this investigation will take a number of months so I would expect that we would still take at least findings forward.”

Ms Courtney said she found the allegations against Griffin “very distressing”.

“I think the Tasmanian community would be appalled by some of the allegations that have been aired,” she said.

Labor welcomed the release of the terms of reference, with opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell saying a thorough investigation was the only way the matter could be dealt with appropriately.

“No stone should be left unturned in seeking the truth about these allegations,” Ms Lovell said.

“I look forward to the government implementing any recommendations from the inquiry to ensure this never happens again.”

The terms of reference are available on the Department of Justice website.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the federation was pleased to see a commitment to supporting anyone coming forward with information.

“This will be a traumatic time for children, parents and anyone who worked with this person,” Ms Shepherd said. SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE AT 1800 RESPECT, LIFELINE ON 13 11 14 AND THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICE ON 1800 697 877 six months to be for any brought