Staff at a major Sydney hospital have been left in disbelief after learning their colleague who worked with them for eight months was a 'fake doctor' who allegedly forged documents to get the job.
The 27-year-old woman had worked as a junior doctor at the Bankstown-Lidcome Hospital since January, treating patients in the midst of the Covid pandemic despite allegedly being unqualified.
She had failed her medical exams but is accused of using false documents to fool her colleagues, patients and the hospital's top brass.
The 27-year-old woman had worked as a junior doctor treating patients at the Bankstown Hospital since January, in the midst of the Covid pandemic despite being unqualified
Eventually staff at the hospital cottoned-on to the alleged fraudster and asked her to provide additional paperwork proving she was qualified for the role.
When she couldn't produce the documentation on Monday, her bosses called the police.
A massive investigation is now underway as to how the bizarre incident could have been allowed to happen.
It is expected she will be charged with a litany of offences for the alleged con, including fraud.
'You have to be concerned about it but I wouldn't expect this in our area, I think the doctors here are very good,' one local told 7NEWS.
'You can't be treated by someone who's not qualified to work, you're putting yourself at danger,' another said.
The hospital announced they are now conducting an urgent internal investigation into the embarrassing incident.
She had failed her medical exams but is accused of using false documents to fool the hospital's top brass, her colleagues and patients.
'Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital discovered on Monday an employee was not registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority ,' a Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital spokesperson said on Tuesday.
'This person was immediately removed from their duties and Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital referred the matter to NSW Police for investigation.
'This person worked at the hospital from January to August 2021 and was fully supervised throughout that time.
'The hospital is also conducting an internal investigation, and has reported the matter to AHPRA.'
The allegations come after a bogus doctor worked in Australia undetected for over 11 years from 2003 to 2014 at Manly, Hornsby, Wyong and Gosford hospitals.
Schyam Acharya conned hospital staff with stolen identity documents from a real physician back in his home country of India.
He worked under the name Sarang Chitale but fled Australia before facing trial.
