Health official charged
193 counts of fraud
A WOMAN has been charged with 193 counts of fraud-related offences after an extensive police investigation into financial mismanagement at Bellarine Community Health.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said charges were laid by Geelong CIU detectives in January.
Former Bellarine Community Health dental services coordinator Fiona Provan is listed to appear before Geelong Magistrates’ Court on May 24, after an adjournment last Thursday.
“Detectives from Geelong Crime Investigation Unit charged a St Leonards woman aged in her 40s in January this year with 193 counts of obtain property by deception,” Ms Webster said.
The charges come after a state-ordered forensic audit of BCH following a period of instability and major concerns surrounding financial mismanagement.
In 2016 the Geelong Advertiser reported BCH detailed allegations of fraud to the state Department of Health at a June 2016 meeting, and was advised to report the matter to police. The matter was not reported until nearly five months after the meeting occurred, following the intervention of the Health Minister.
In November that year, after a fiery BCH annual meeting, Member for Bellarine and Police Minister Lisa Neville demanded an independent forensic audit of the organisation’s finances.
The audit was completed by an independent firm and provided to Victoria Police to assist with investigations. It is understood any other findings in the audit will not be made public until Ms Provan’s court matter has been finalised.
Ms Neville could not comment on the audit but said she had faith in BCH’s current management. Former chairwoman Hazel Ingram stepped down from her position as head of the organisation in September 2017, becoming the fifth high-position departure within 12 months.
“I understand the Department and Bellarine Community Health continue to work together to ensure the organisation has robust systems in place to deliver high quality care and services to our community,” Ms Neville said.
“Bellarine Community Health has also recently appointed a new board chair and under new leadership I trust they will engage our community in its aim to strengthen how it delivers that service.”
BCH spokeswoman Laureen Deale said BCH was aware the forensic audit was forwarded to police and that charges had been laid.