An accused fake doctor who operated in public hospitals for more than a decade without being detected was eventually discovered by a private medical company.
Shyam Acharya, who is believed to have left the country, is accused of working under false pretences at hospitals in Manly, Wyong, Hornsby and Gosford from 2003 to 2014.
More NSW News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:38
Fake Sydney doctor on the run
Fake Sydney doctor on the run
Police are searching for a man who stole the name and qualifications of an Indian doctor who treated patients across several Sydney hospitals for 11 years. Vision: Network Ten
Up Next
Fatal shooting in Mortlake
- Video duration
- 00:18
- Video duration
- 00:18
Fatal shooting in Mortlake
Fatal shooting in Mortlake
Detectives are searching an apartment block on Bennett Street, Mortlake after a man was shot dead at about 2.30am. Vision courtesy Seven Network.
Up Next
Woman critical after falling from platform
- Video duration
- 00:43
- Video duration
- 00:43
Woman critical after falling from platform
Woman critical after falling from platform
An elderly woman has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after she fell between a train and the platform at Liverpool Station on Thursday afternoon.
Up Next
Premier defends her light rail record
- Video duration
- 02:37
- Video duration
- 02:37
Premier defends her light rail record
Premier defends her light rail record
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been forced to defend her management of a cost blowout of Sydney's light rail project in 2014 when she was Transport Minister.
Up Next
John Howard 'rescued' from angry protesters
- Video duration
- 00:45
- Video duration
- 00:45
John Howard 'rescued' from angry ...
John Howard 'rescued' from angry protesters
The former prime minister had NSW Police escort him away from vocal union protesters rallying in Sydney's CBD against cuts to penalty rates.
Up Next
Inside Sydney's historic rail workshop
- Video duration
- 02:31
- Video duration
- 02:31
Inside Sydney's historic rail workshop
Inside Sydney's historic rail workshop
The NSW government is planning to renovate the historic Eveleigh railway precinct into a multi-user facility for rail heritage companies.
Up Next
Neuroblastoma research benefit is "twofold"
- Video duration
- 02:39
- Video duration
- 02:39
Neuroblastoma research benefit is ...
Neuroblastoma research benefit is "twofold"
Michaela Flanagan says cancer research from the last 20 years is the reason her daughter Ciara was able to beat neuroblastoma.
Up Next
Large surf pounds Gold Coast
- Video duration
- 01:48
- Video duration
- 01:48
Large surf pounds Gold Coast
Large surf pounds Gold Coast
Surfers flock to the beach on the Gold Coast as a low-pressure system over the Tasman Sea delivers solid waves. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.
Fake Sydney doctor on the run
Police are searching for a man who stole the name and qualifications of an Indian doctor who treated patients across several Sydney hospitals for 11 years. Vision: Network Ten
NSW Health Minster Brad Hazzard has called for a law change that would allow fake doctors to be jailed.
Mr Acharya is alleged to have stolen the name and medical qualifications of Indian doctor Sarang Chitale to become registered as a medical practitioner in NSW, where he worked in hospital emergency departments until he failed to meet Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency requirements.
Neither the Health Care Complaints Commission nor the Medical Council of NSW received any complaints about him during his 11 years of practice.
After leaving hospitals, Mr Acharya worked for private medical research company Novotech under the same fake identity between June 2015 and September 2016, when management discovered he may have misrepresented his identity and qualifications.
"Novotech immediately took steps to investigate and contacted the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the NSW police (amongst others)," Novotech general counsel Veronica Holloway said in a statement.
"Those organisations conducted their own investigations into this issue, with which Novotech fully co-operated."
But it was two months before AHPRA notified NSW Health, which commenced its own investigation upon receiving the information in November.
AHPRA has laid charges against Mr Acharya of using the title of health practitioner when not registered and he faces a maximum fine of $30,000.
The agency declined to comment while the case was before the courts, but it is unclear whether Mr Acharya will face a penalty because his whereabouts are unknown.
Mr Hazzard said the $30,000 fine for people who falsely presented themselves as medical practitioners was "woefully inadequate".Â
He will also raise it with other health ministers at the next Council of Australian Governments meeting later this month.
"I'm horrified that this fellow managed to get into the NSW hospital system," Mr Hazzard said.
"If we can catch this guy he deserves jail and the problem is at the moment that the maximum you can get is $30,000. Greg Hunt and I – and, I would believe the other ministers – are intent on changing this."
Mr Hazzard said doctor registration was tightened in 2011 with the establishment of AHPRA, which gave Mr Acharya limited registration in 2012 and 2013.Â
"But by the third registration his luck ran out," Mr Hazzard said.
Opposition health spokesman Walt Secord said the case demonstrated a systemic failure at all levels of government.
NSW Health said in a statement that its recruitment processes had improved since 2011, with personal referees now sought for all overseas doctors.
An international firm based in the US runs checks on original documents.
Federal Health Minister Mr Hunt said he would work with the states to ensure there were heavy penalties for people who falsely claimed to be doctors, including the option of a jail term.
"Impersonating medical professionals is a serious crime and should be treated as such," Mr Hunt said.
Novotech said Mr Acharya did not have any contact or responsibility for patients while he was working at the company.
NSW Health is reviewing its patient records and has advised anybody with concerns to call the Central Coast Local Health District in 4320 3920 or the Northern Sydney Local Health District on 9462 9778.