Public Statement - Ms Bronwyn Jones – community-based aged care worker

30 April 2021

The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (the Commission) investigated a complaint concerning Ms Bronwyn Jones, unregistered health practitioner. Ms Jones has worked in various direct care roles within the NSW ageing and disability sector since 1995, with a focus on dementia-specific support services since 2015.

The complaint, which was referred to the Commission by the NSW Ageing & Disability Commission, alleged that Ms Jones had stolen a large sum of cash and various other items from the wife of one of her clients (Patient A). The complaint also alleged that Ms Jones had failed to care appropriately for Patient A on a number of occasions.

Ms Jones provided in-home care and support to Patient A over a period of 18 months, from 24 July 2018 until 10 February 2020. Patient A was a 79 year old man who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and was unable to communicate verbally.

On 13 May 2020 Ms Jones was charged by NSW Police with the theft of cash and other items from Patient A’s home during the period 17 October 2019 to 7 February 2020. She pled guilty to all charges at Gosford Local Court on 13 August 2020 and was sentenced on 30 September 2020, receiving a 13 month Intensive Corrections Order (30/09/20 - 29/10/21). This order requires her to engage in 100 hours of community service work and pay compensation of $18,640.

The Commission’s investigation found evidence that, during the period 17 October 2019 to 7 February 2020, Ms Jones:

• Stole $18,640 cash and sundry other items from Patient A’s home.

• Left Patient A unattended in his garage on the following occasions:

• On 28 January 2020, for periods of six and 14 minutes

• On 3 February 2020, for periods of 11, six and four minutes;

• Consumed alcohol while on duty on 6 February 2020;

• Consumed food that was meant for Patient A on various occasions; and

• Failed to observe appropriate food hygiene on various occasions, by taking bites out of Patient A’s food before handing it to him.

Ms Jones was in a position of trust at the time of these events, charged with caring for a particularly vulnerable client. She failed in her duty of care to Patient A and her conduct was wilful and egregious, having no regard to the impact her actions had on Patient A’s wellbeing. 

The Commission’s investigation found that Ms Jones breached Clause 3(1) of the Code of Conduct for unregistered health practitioners, by failing to provide health services to Patient A in a safe and ethical manner.

The Commission also determined that Ms Jones poses a risk to the health or safety of members of the public.

Accordingly, the Commission makes the following prohibition order under section 41A(2)(a) of the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (the Act):

Ms Bronwyn Jones is permanently prohibited from providing any health services in any capacity, whether on a paid or voluntary basis.

For the purposes of this order, a health services carries the same meaning as defined under section 4 of the Act.

Further Information

Access to the Commission's media release here.

For further information, contact the Executive Officer of the Health Care Complaints Commission, on 9219 7444 or send an email to media@hccc.nsw.gov.au