Media Releases

A special report tabled before Parliament this morning, reports on the findings and recommendations of an IBAC investigation, Operation Tone, into drug misuse and corrupt conduct allegations concerning Ambulance Victoria paramedics.

Operation Tone investigated allegations Ambulance Victoria paramedics in the Barwon South West region engaged in serious corrupt conduct, namely the theft, trafficking and use of drugs of dependence, and misappropriation of Ambulance Victoria equipment.

IBAC's Operation Tone identified that:

• two paramedics were involved in the trafficking, use and possession of illicit drugs
• several paramedics were found to be using illicit drugs
• one paramedic had stolen and used Ambulance Victoria drugs of dependence, including fentanyl and morphine
• several paramedics were using and sharing Ambulance Victoria drugs, as well as personal medications, including temazepam and oxycodone
• some paramedics were misappropriating Ambulance Victoria supplies to inappropriately treat themselves, colleagues, family members and friends. This conduct extended to paramedics taking intravenous bags, along with cannulation equipment, to treat the symptoms of hangovers.

While the investigation focused on conduct in the Barwon South West region, based on evidence obtained during the investigation, IBAC considers this conduct and corruption vulnerabilities are likely to be more widespread across Ambulance Victoria.

IBAC Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan said: "Ambulance Victoria paramedics play a vital role in serving the community, often in demanding circumstances. The community rightfully places great trust in paramedics and expects they will demonstrate professionalism and integrity in carrying out their duty of care to patients."

"Misappropriation of Ambulance Victoria drugs of dependence can have safety implications for the broader community if drug registers are not accurate, and ambulance vehicles are not stocked with the appropriate medications."

"The misuse of fentanyl is particularly concerning given its increasing use, and association with accidental deaths, in Australia," Mr O’Bryan said.

As a result of Operation Tone, one paramedic's employment was terminated and eight paramedics resigned while under investigation. Six paramedics retained their employment with a formal warning. Of these, five were relocated to different regions for varying periods, and were enrolled in an ethics counselling course, and precluded from development opportunities for 12 months.

Following the IBAC investigation, one witness plead guilty in the Geelong Magistrates' Court to breaching a confidentiality notice and misleading IBAC, and was fined $5000.

Ambulance Victoria has proactively responded to the vulnerabilities identified in Operation Tone by introducing new policies and practices to minimise opportunities for the possession, use and misappropriation of drugs of dependence, and to prevent the theft of Ambulance Victoria equipment.

IBAC has recommended Ambulance Victoria conduct a comprehensive review of the use of illicit drugs and misuse of drugs of dependence by its employees, as well as the development and implementation of a more robust framework to prevent and detect such drug use.

IBAC has further recommended the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) consider the issues raised in Operation Tone and whether similar vulnerabilities could exist in other Victorian health services.

Ambulance Victoria is to provide IBAC with a progress report by 30 March 2018. Both Ambulance Victoria and DHHS are required to report to IBAC by 28 September 2018 on the implementation of the recommendations.

Media contact: media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840

Please note: IBAC will not be providing interviews