When Mary-Anne the health minister held a press conference, she was surrounded by 10 ‘sick people’. There’s just one big problem

Staff and family members have been accused of posing as patients at the health clinic of a regional Victorian hospital during a visit by the state health minister.

Victoria’s Health Department is investigating an allegation that 10 staff members or family members of staff members attended Colac Area Health’s urgent care center within half an hour on August 9 last.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas visited the clinic that day to inspect cardiac monitoring equipment, funded by a $221,500 taxpayer investment.

“This alleged behavior is completely inappropriate and if proven true, there will be serious consequences,” a Victorian government spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

During her visit, Ms. Thomas wrote on Instagram that “there is never a dull moment in emergency care.”

“Thank you to the nursing team at Colac Area Health for showing me your workplace today and providing the very best care to your patients,” she said.

All ten allegedly bogus emergency care arrivals were recorded in the database before being canceled without being dismissed after the minister left. Colac Herald reported.

Ms Thomas said she was aware of the allegation and stressed the health department is taking it very seriously.

“If these allegations turn out to be true, this is a very significant breach of trust that is being perpetuated by some in the health care system,” she told reporters on Thursday.

‘I would certainly take a very dim view of any staff or others who may have been involved in this.’

Ambulance Victoria is investigating the allegation separately, a spokesperson for the paramedic service confirmed.

An anonymous whistleblower first disclosed the allegation to the Victorian Public Sector Commission in late August, alerting the minister and her office.

It was then referred to the independent broad-based anti-corruption commission, which ruled that this did not fall within its remit.

The claim then ended up on the desk of the Victorian Ombudsman, before the integrity watchdog told the health department it would not be investigated further.

The Ministry of Health subsequently started an investigation and will report the results to the minister.

Ms Thomas could not recall how many patients she met during the visit but ruled out her office being involved in the alleged scheme.

“I visit health care all the time,” she said. “I see what’s happening on the ground.”

The minister was convinced that the accusation had ‘nothing at all to do with my office’.

“If anyone suggests that, I would be very offended,” she said. “I remember it was quite busy at Colac that day, but I had no reason to be suspicious of what I saw.”

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto called for a retired judge or a body independent of the government to take over the investigation.

“Given the Allan Labor government’s pattern of misrepresentation (and) cover-up over many years, I am simply not prepared to take the Allan Labor government at its word,” he said.

“Let’s do a truly independent investigation to find out what happened here and whether it’s happening elsewhere in our health care system.”

Colac Area Health covers approximately 30,000 people in the Corangamite, Colac Otway and Surf Coast Shires.

Board chairman Tim Greene said the health service took all complaints and feedback seriously.

“We are aware of an anonymous complaint, which is being duly acted upon,” he said.

‘Our community is at the heart of everything we do and we take all complaints and feedback seriously. We are unable to comment further at this time.”

Ms Thomas (pictured) said: ‘If these allegations prove true, this is a very significant breach of trust that is being perpetuated by some in the health service’

The Colac Area Health Clinic (photo) was equipped with 13 new heart monitors, two central heart monitoring screens and two electrocardiograph strip printers

In a press release on the day of Ms. Thomas’ visit, she said she visited the clinic to “see the positive impact of equipment upgrades on staff and patients.”

The clinic was equipped with 13 new cardiac monitors, two central coronary monitors and two electrocardiograph strip printers, she said.

The upgrades would ensure patients no longer have to travel long distances to get the services they need, the news release said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Colac Area Health for further comment.