Top doctor sidelined over Vic’s hotel quarantine program
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton should have been put in charge of the scheme but two bureaucrats were appointed instead, inquiry hears
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton requested an urgent review of the state’s hotel quarantine program after he was sidelined by bureaucrats, an inquiry has heard.
On 9 April, Dr Finn Romanes, deputy public health commander, wrote to senior Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) staff on behalf of Professor Sutton and his deputy Dr Annaliese van Diemen.
The email, shown to Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry on Wednesday, described the program as lacking “a unified plan”.
“There is considerable concern that the lead roles have not had an opportunity to be satisfied there is a policy and set of processes to manage the healthcare and welfare of detainees, for whom this program is accountable,” Dr Romanes wrote.
