Tag Archives: oceania

Unregistered doctor worked in SA emergency department for six days

Australia's health regulator has launched an investigation after an unregistered male doctor worked for six days at a South Australian public hospital's emergency department.

The doctor – who was trained overseas and was registered in Australia in the past, but has previously faced disciplinary action – worked at Port Augusta Hospital between April 24 and May 2 before being removed from the premises.

The doctor is believed to have treated 15 patients over those six days.

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The doctor worked six days and is believed to have treated 15 patients.

The hospital is now following up with those patients to discuss care needs and decide if follow-up appointments are necessary.

Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network Chief Executive Craig Packard has issued an apology to anyone affected.

"On behalf of our service, I apologise to all those patients who had contact with this unregistered doctor," he said.

"This incident should not have occurred and I am deeply sorry.

"We have informed SA Police and AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority), and will also conduct a full and thorough review into how this incident occurred."

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The doctor was offered a place as an intern prior to the arrival of his registration. He was granted a provisional registration with conditions on May 2.

A supervising doctor was also stood down pending investigation.

The matter has been referred to SA Police, AHPRA and other investigative bodies for further action, and an investigation has been launched under AHPRA's Criminal Offences Unit.

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Anyone who attended Port Augusta Hospital's emergency department between those dates and is concerned has been urged to contact the facility and Regional Health Service on 08 8668 7500.

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Axe attack victim thanks good Samaritans who saved her

A woman who survived a hatchet attack has thanked the good Samaritans who saved her life after her ex-boyfriend was found guilty of attempted murder.

"They are the reason I am alive today," Maria Buci said outside Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday.

Former security guard Cameron Turgay Bardak ambushed Buci in a Brisbane CBD car park after she finished work at a law firm in July 2020.

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Victim Maria Buci is seen outside the Brisbane Supreme Court in Brisbane, Thursday, May 4, 2023.

He attacked his ex-girlfriend with a hatchet and choked her before members of the public came to her aid.

The jury was shown iPhone footage of Bardak on top of Buci with his hands around her throat as multiple people tried to separate them.

"I do just want to thank everyone who has been by my side and has assisted me these past three years – the police service, the DPP, the witnesses and everyone who saved me that night," Buci said outside court.

"I am very grateful."

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Cameron Bardak is accused of attempted murder.

The trial heard workers from nearby offices rushed into the car park after hearing cries for help.

One witness was struck in the hand by the hatchet but was able to punch Bardak in the head and kidneys in an attempt to stop the attack, to no avail.

Others from neighbouring buildings ran to the scene and helped loosen Bardak's grip, allowing Buci to flee but he chased her down.

Multiple people were then able to free her a second time, the court was told.

Buci on Thursday agreed that the good Samaritans were "heroic".

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Brisbane man accused of trying to kill girlfriend with a hatchet.

"Absolutely. What they did you don't see it every day and I hope they don't have to see it ever again," she told media.

Bardak had pleaded guilty to an alternate charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

However, crown prosecutor Chris Cook did not accept it, telling the jury that Bardak had formed the idea that "if I can't have her, nobody will".

Buci told the jury she was walking through the car park and spotted Bardak hiding next to her vehicle, telling her to "get in the car".

"He said, 'I'm going to kill you' and that's when I saw the axe," she told the jury.

Bardak hit her with the axe, causing her to fall down before striking her again while her hands were covering her head.

He then started choking her before people came to her aid.

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Bardak told the court that he only bought a hatchet to force her into speaking to him again.

Asked if the verdict had given her some closure, Buci told media, "It has been very hard but I have had a great support system and I got through it (trial).

"It is a long path to healing but I will get there."

The jury found Bardak guilty on Thursday after deliberating for more than six hours.

He will be sentenced by Justice Glenn Martin on Friday.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Man caught on camera being Tasered by police after Townsville rampage

A knife-wielding man has been Tasered by police after going on a rampage filmed by onlookers in North Queensland.

Officers were called to Ross River Road in Townsville after a man was seen running around with a long filleting knife just after 11am today.

Video shows Queensland Police officers Tasering him twice and arresting him.

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Man caught on camera being tasered by police after Townsville rampage

Officers first asked the man to drop the knife but Tasered him after he didn't stop.

No members of the public or police officers were injured.

The man has been taken into custody and is facing multiple charges.

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Couple shaken after car hit by rock thrown from overpass

A couple has been left shaken after their car windscreen was shattered by a rock believed to have been thrown from a Melbourne freeway overpass.

Phil and Sue Ronaldson were driving near Frankston over the weekend when their car was suddenly hit by a large rock.

Their car was travelling at 100km/h at the time, with dashcam video capturing the moment of impact.

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"All of a sudden there was a big smash and the windscreen broke and shattered," Phil said.

"You're expecting a nice easy cruise up the freeway and you don't expect to get a rock in your face."

After pulling over on the side of the freeway, the couple noticed dozens of smaller rocks littered along the road.

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They are calling on those responsible to be aware of how close they came to potentially killing someone.

"Anything could have happened," Phil said.

"We could have had a multi-car pile-up easily, there was a lot of traffic coming back from the peninsula."

The dashcam footage has been handed to police, who are investigating.

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Canberra man jailed after riding e-scooter at 100km/h and attempting to evade police

A man who rode an e-scooter at 100km/h while trying to evade police on a main road in Canberra has been jailed.

Bodycam footage shows James Cole riding the scooter along the edge of Majura Parkway and passing cars as police officers on motorbikes attempted to pull him over on December 23 last year.

The 38-year-old left the road and continued riding along a bike path where several cyclists were told to dismount to avoid a collision.

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Man jailed after riding e-scooter at 100km/h in Canberra

Cole eventually fell off the e-scooter and the pursuing officers arrested him.

"My job's on the line, man," Cole is heard saying on the police bodycam video.

"Please, it's Christmas and that."

Cole tested positive to methamphetamine in a roadside drug test after his arrest.

He was transported to hospital for minor injuries and the scooter was seized by police.

Cole pleaded guilty to seven charges in court.

He will spend one month in prison and serve the remaining three months in the community under a good behaviour order.

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Man jailed after riding e-scooter at 100km/h in Canberra

ACT Policing said it welcomed the decision by the court.

"The man placed himself and other road (and bike path) users at significant risk following his decision to initially ride at close to 100km/h on the Majura Parkway and then to repeatedly ignore police directions to stop," it said in a statement.

"All e-scooters ridden on ACT roads and pathways must have a maximum speed of 25km/h and can only be ridden at 15km/h when on a footpath.

"Pursuing officers ensured people on the pathway had seen them by activating emergency lights and sirens and had moved off the pathway while they continued to engage the scooter rider."

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