’Groper’ to be moved away from patients

GOLD Coast Health will move a staff member who pleaded guilty of groping a teenager outside of work hours into a non-patient contact role while they review the case.

“We note the public concern on this matter. The staff member has been moved to a non-patient contact role while we review the case,” a statement from Gold Coast Health read yesterday.

Gold Coast Health had originally said the man’s role did not compromise patient safety and that the health system was “not a substitute for the judicial process”.

The Bulletin yesterday revealed rape and sexual assault victims were no longer being referred to the public health system because Gold Coast Health refused to move the senior staff member.

The man pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court in May to groping a 17year-old girl.

When the man grabbed the teenager’s bottom, he told her “no one has an arse like yours”.

That night he sent her a series of text messages, including one which read: “Not all girls have a butt like that sweetie.”

He later apologised. The man was fined $5000 and no conviction was recorded. Two high-ranking Gold Coast Health staff members provided glowing court references.

The decision to move the man was welcomed by Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence director Di MacLeod.

“I am relieved they are taking it seriously,” she said.

She said she hoped this was an opportunity for Queensland Health to review riskmanagement policy.

A spokesperson for Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said he could not comment on human resource matters or individual employees.

Shadow Health Minister and Member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said: “His actions were highly inappropriate and shouldn’t be condoned by senior management.”