How to Safeguard Your Ambulance Service: Ensuring Compliance and Preventing Fraudulent Claims
Lachlan Gardner has avoided jail after posing as a paramedic at motocross events. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
The case of Lachlan Gardner, who unlawfully posed as a paramedic at motocross events, highlights the critical importance of robust verification systems within healthcare services. Gardner’s fraudulent claims put patients at risk, underlining the necessity for organisations to implement rigorous checks to verify qualifications, AHPRA registration, and other credentials.
In one instance, at a motorcycle event in New South Wales, Mr Gardner treated a child who had been involved in a collision. In the course of treating that child, Mr Gardner falsely claimed he was a paramedic to a 000 operator. The child was airlifted to hospital and admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The child made a full recovery. There is no evidence Mr Gardner’s offending caused any harm to the injured child.
When later questioned about his credentials Mr Gardner continued to make the false claim that he was a paramedic. The title ‘paramedic’ is protected by the National Law, and only those persons who hold current Ahpra registration in the paramedicine profession may lawfully refer to themselves as a paramedic.
On 11 December 2024 Mr Gardner pleaded guilty to one count of knowing holding himself as being registered as a paramedic and two counts of using a title or description that indicated he was authorised or qualified to practise in the paramedic profession.
NSQHS Compliance and Organisational Resilience
For ambulance services and patient transport companies, ensuring that staff are properly qualified and registered is essential for patient safety and legal compliance. The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards include requirements around workforce credentials and clinical governance, promoting a culture of safety and accountability.
Ambulance services have critical obligations regarding medicines, not only in terms of safe administration but also in relation to compliance with state and territory health departments. These regulations ensure that medications are stored, handled, and dispensed correctly to ensure patient safety. Ambulance services must adhere to local health department requirements, including maintaining accurate records, managing controlled substances, and following specific protocols for drug administration during emergency situations. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, emphasizing the importance of robust internal systems and staff training.
To maintain a resilient and compliant workforce, organisations must:
Verify Qualifications and Registration: Regularly check that all staff are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold valid qualifications.
Implement Rigorous Screening Systems: Ensure comprehensive background checks are in place to detect any inconsistencies or fraudulent claims before hiring.
Adopt Continuous Monitoring Practices: Maintain ongoing oversight of qualifications, ensuring they remain current and in line with evolving industry standards. It is not enough to just check qualifications and registration on hiring.
Develop Strong Clinical Governance Frameworks: Establish leadership and accountability systems to ensure all staff adhere to legal and professional standards.
How Marysol Consulting Can Help
At Marysol Consulting, we provide tailored clinical governance and compliance support to ambulance and patient transport organisations. Our services help ensure that your systems are resilient and that your staff are properly credentialed and compliant with industry regulations. We assist with:
Credential Verification Systems: We help implement systems to streamline the verification of qualifications and registrations for new and existing staff. Outsourcing the way you verify credentials can save you time and money.
Compliance Audits: We conduct comprehensive audits to assess your organisation’s adherence to AHPRA requirements and NSQHS Standards, identifying areas for improvement.
Training and Development: Our workforce training programs ensure that your staff understand their responsibilities regarding qualifications and patient care.
Policy Development and Review: We support your organisation in developing policies and procedures that ensure continuous compliance with safety, quality, and legal requirements.
By partnering with Marysol Consulting, you can enhance your workforce resilience and ensure patient safety by maintaining a compliant, well-trained, and qualified team.
To learn more about our services, contact us today. Together, we can create a safer, more compliant ambulance service for the future.
More information about Mr Gardner’s case can be found at the AHPRA Website.
AHPRA Article: Unqualified man sentenced for claiming to be a paramedic at motorcycle events'
9 News Article: Man who faked being a paramedic during emergencies convicted as warning to others
