Date: 21 December 2017
Source: The West Australian
A man accused of impersonating a doctor at a Queensland children’s hospital was caught out after mispronouncing basic medical terms.
Nicholas Brett Delaney appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday on two counts of enter premises with intent and one count of attempted fraud.
The court heard the 25-year-old had been passing himself off as “Dr Nick Delaney” to employees at Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in South Brisbane, and regularly accessing staff only areas.
It is understood a staff member alerted security when Delaney mispronounced basic medical terms.
It is believed the wardsman, who was not employed at either medical facility, started pretending to be a doctor in November.
Delaney was arrested by police earlier this month and found in possession of a lanyard, alleged to have been stolen from Ronald McDonald House some time after May.
The attempted fraud offence relates to an alleged attempt by Delaney to obtain a hospital security pass.
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Fionnagh Dougan said preliminary investigations by the hospital indicated Delaney had no interaction with patients.
“A review of security systems will be conducted at Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital,” she said in a statement.
Ronald McDonald House said in a statement it was supporting the hospital in its investigation and would continue to assist police.
“There is nothing more important to us than the safety of the families who stay in our houses around the country every night,” it said.
Delaney did not comment as he left court.
He had pleaded guilty to the three charges, but magistrate Stuart Shearer adjourned the case to next month and urged Delaney to seek legal advice.
“It is hardly a trivial offence to be impersonating a doctor at a children’s hospital over an extended period of time,” Mr Shearer said. “You shouldn’t underestimate the seriousness of the offences.”
The case will return to court on January 29.