Public Statement – Ms Dianne Reader – Technical Officer (Pathology) – Permanent Prohibition Order

10 May 2023

The Health Care Complaints Commission (the Commission) conducted an investigation into the conduct of Ms Dianne Reader, a Senior Technical Officer in the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory at Royal North Shore Hospital.

The investigation found that Ms Reader repeatedly engaged in conduct that demonstrated a flagrant disregard for patient health and safety. On multiple occasions Ms Reader accessed patient records in order to identify patient tissue samples that had been cut up by her colleague Employee A, and then took steps to swap the specimens. Ms Reader did this to undermine, discredit and to cause harm to the mental health and wellbeing, and employment, of Employee A.

In her role as a Senior Technical Officer working in Pathology, Ms Reader was afforded significant trust by patients and the wider community. Her actions had the potential to result in significant adverse outcomes for patients. The Commission considers that Ms Reader has breached clause 3(1) of the Code of Conduct made under Schedule 3 of the Public Health Regulation 2012 (as published at the time of the incidents and up to 31 August 2022) by failing to provide a health service in a safe and ethical manner.

The Commission also considers that Ms Reader poses a risk to the health and safety of members of the public.

Accordingly, the Commission has permanently prohibited Ms Reader from providing any health services in any capacity.

Further Information

Access the Commission’s Statement of Decision here.

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.