Tasmania hospital director ‘asleep on job’

Senior health official Simon Foster missed meetings, stole items and contributed to project delays, found an integrity commission report
Australian Associated Press
A Westpac Rescue Helicopter tests the new helipad in 2017.

The inappropriate conduct of a sleepy senior health department director delayed the opening of Tasmania’s first hospital helipad, preventing an emergency landing. 

An integrity commission report released on Tuesday found Simon Foster also intimidated staff and stole items from the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) including old doors and lighting. 

There was evidence he fell asleep on the job, gained inappropriate personal advantages and influenced the recruitment of friends.

Mr Foster was often absent from work without explanation and didn’t show up to meetings.