Unregistered nurse fined $15,000

A VICTORIAN woman has been successfully prosecuted for falsely passing herself off as a registered nurse and injecting a patient with substances “purported to be cosmetic injectables” .

Brittany Fairthorne pleaded guilty to charges relating to the incident at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court, last week, after the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency lodged proceedings against her.

Fairthorne was fined $15,000 for breaching the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, and ordered to pay costs of $13,495.85.

AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher welcomed the court’s decision as a strong deterrent to anyone who falsely claims to be a registered health practitioner.

“This is another very good outcome for AHPRA, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the public,” he said.

“Claiming to be a registered health practitioner when you are not puts vulnerable people at serious risk.

“We will continue to take action against these individuals to support the profession and safeguard the public, including through prosecution in the criminal courts.”

The case was heard just days after new tougher sanctions including increased fines of up to $60,0000 and maximum jail sentenced of three years came into effect (PD 02 Jul).