NSW: ICAC clears Knowles over whistleblower nurses claims

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2005
NSW: ICAC clears Knowles over whistleblower nurses claims

SYDNEY, April 13 AAP - Former NSW health minister Craig Knowles was today cleared by
the state's corruption watchdog of misconduct allegations related to his dealings with
whistleblower nurses.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigated claims Mr Knowles
bullied and intimidated five nurses who raised concerns with him about the treatment of
patients at Camden and Campbelltown hospitals in Sydney's south-west.

ICAC Assistant Commissioner John Clarke, QC, found Mr Knowles "did not threaten, intimidate
or attempt to intimidate any person, or engage in any other conduct that could reasonably
be regarded as improper".

During public hearings, Mr Clarke heard evidence Mr Knowles banged his fist and became
angry at four of the nurses when they met with him in 2002.

A senior nurse seconded from Liverpool to Fairfield hospital said she was forced to
return to her old position after she raised concerns about patient care with Mr Knowles
in 2003.

Mr Clarke found there was insufficient evidence to find any person took detrimental
action against the nurse, Giselle Simmons, because of the complaints she made to Mr Knowles.

A Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) inquiry in 2003 into the deaths of 19 people
at the Camden and Campbelltown hospitals criticised patient care and management.

Mr Knowles is now the infrastructure, planning, and natural resources minister.

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KEYWORD: HOSPITALS ICAC (REISSUING, FIXING DATELINE)

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