Report Compiled: November 2025
Executive Summary
This report consolidates extensive media investigations, parliamentary inquiries, public complaints, and documented failures to demonstrate that the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) has become a dangerous, unaccountable, and corrupt agency that threatens public safety rather than protects it. The HCCC operates with impunity, protects institutional interests over patient welfare, fabricates findings, and systematically denies practitioner due process.
Media Source: ABC News, April 2019
In a damning ABC investigation, the network exposed that:
Patients claiming investigators at the HCCC are ignoring complaints about substandard hospital care
Multiple hospital mistreatment claims were not investigated
Patients described the HCCC as "incompetent and insensitive" after six-month waiting periods with no action
A HCCC whistleblower revealed a "dysfunctional workplace culture" triggering an exodus of senior staff
Serious complaints, including cases where ill patients were refused emergency treatment, were not investigated
Official statistics showed the HCCC failed to meet statutory 60-day response deadlines on hundreds of cases
Key Quotes from Patients:
One patient: "The agency is a non-event. The Premier and the Health Minister need to take action on it. Because the people in New South Wales are not getting the care that they need. Particularly people in private hospitals. They're just ignored."
Media Source: ABC News, September 2019
The ABC exposed a profound security and governance failure:
A convicted sex offender was hired by the HCCC as an investigator without required police background checks
The agency continued to employ him even after his convictions became known
This jeopardized public trust in the HCCC's ability to properly conduct investigations
Two senior investigations managers resigned in response
HCCC insiders described the agency as a "circus" with staff being shuffled due to resignations and stress leave
The Minister Brad Hazzard admitted the HCCC operates in a "twilight zone" with unclear oversight
Impact: This scandal demonstrated the HCCC's incompetence in basic employment vetting and its inability to maintain professional standards.
Media Source: RACGP newsGP, March 2022
A Taree GP publicly criticized the HCCC for weaponizing its complaints process:
An anonymous and unverified complaint was accepted against Dr. Holliday
The complaint conflated separate remarks without clarification
The HCCC assessment repeated the conflated version, creating false accusations
Dr. Holliday was never given adequate opportunity to respond
The HCCC coordinated with the Medical Council of NSW to issue observations to the GP without proper investigation
Dr. Holliday stated: "I think it's weaponising the compliance process to intimidate doctors and I don't think our regulators should be part of that"
He emphasized: "For my sake, I don't really care. But I do care because other doctors might be intimidated by this"
Scholarly Commentary on the Case:
Medical professionals responding to the case noted:
Dr. Max Sarma (expert in administrative and constitutional law): "The lack of due diligence evident in the HCCC complaint assessment suggests procedural unfairness...There appears to be a failure by the HCCC NSW to make a proper assessment, contrary to the Health Care Complaints Act NSW 1993."
Dr. Angela Nimmo: "Reprimanding a GP via an anonymous, unverified complaint is bull shit. Worse still is the thought it was in conjunction with the Medical Council of NSW!"
A commenter documented another case where a doctor received a death threat during a HCCC investigation, took out an AVO, relocated his family, and the case was dropped with no investigation or penalties.
Media Source: ABC News, June 2023
30 women lodged complaints about maternity care at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital to the HCCC
Allegations included: refusal of pain relief, procedures conducted without informed consent, vaginal examinations without consent
Women reported "screaming and crying" while being denied pain relief
The HCCC investigation process was slow and responses inadequate
A parliamentary member noted the "absolute refusal for pain relief" was among the most concerning issues
The local health district acknowledged some issues but very little had been done
Pattern: The HCCC failed to act swiftly or effectively on serious complaints affecting vulnerable women.
Media Source: ABC News, July 2021
A whistleblower, Jane Thomasson, alleged managers in Illawarra's Mental Health Services were misusing reporting systems and concealing incidents
The HCCC responded that it was satisfied the local health district was "not concealing information"
Ms. Thomasson stated she was "stunned" by the HCCC's response
She emphasised: "When you've got so many failings, it's the consumer, the patient at the end of the day who suffers"
She criticised the system: "At the moment, if an incident occurs, the managers are investigating themselves and reporting on themselves. And it doesn't work"
Pattern: The HCCC failed to probe deeply into systemic reporting manipulation and accepted institutional assurances without verification.
Sources: ABC News, 2019; Parliamentary Inquiry; CODEA documentation
Dr. Emil Gayed was an obstetrician-gynaecologist who practiced for over two decades despite numerous complaints dating back to the 1990s.
Failures:
Multiple complaints from nurses and hospitals were not adequately acted upon by the HCCC and Medical Board
Systemic breakdown in communication between hospitals, the HCCC, and the Medical Board allowed Dr. Gayed to move between facilities despite known performance issues
A 2019 inquiry found that complainants were "failed" by the NSW health system
The Medical Error Action Group (MEAG) had raised concerns years earlier but was ignored
NSW Health attempted to silence whistleblowers
The inquiry head appointed (Gail Furness) had a conflict of interest, having previously served as HCCC deputy commissioner during the period of Dr. Gayed's malpractice
Public Impact: This case demonstrated that the HCCC allowed a practitioner to continue practicing despite documented concerns, resulting in ongoing harm to patients.
Sources: NSW Parliament Committee Review, 2021-22 and 2022-23 Annual Reports
Parliamentary oversight identified critical failures:
Significant decreases in the percentage of complaints assessed within the statutory 60-day timeframe
Increased delays, with more investigations taking over 12 months
Most health sector stakeholders noted the HCCC "often fails" to meet statutory timeframes
The HCCC discontinued reporting of non-statutory key performance indicators, reducing transparency
Access barriers for vulnerable groups: The complexity of the complaints process presents barriers for vulnerable groups and those with trauma experiences
Parliamentary recommendations called for trauma-informed options and dedicated support for complainants who cannot provide written complaints
Source: Reddit r/AusLegal, August 2025
Public comments reveal a pattern of dismissal and systemic bias:
"The HCCC has just dismissed my complaint against two hospitals...The HCCC seems more focused on concealing your grievances than addressing them. When you file a complaint, it often gets shut down quickly. After you provide a written account, that person will likely disregard it, and you may never receive any follow-up. It appears that the HCCC prioritises the interests of medical professionals, hospitals, and specialists over those of patients... They seem to be perpetually several steps ahead, indicating a deeper issue of systemic corruption. Everyone at the HCCC understands their roles well; it's a routine process, and the only beneficiaries are the medical practitioners who have wronged patients. They continue to operate without fear of repercussions."
Another user stated:
"HCCC is designed to delay people and pretend there is oversight. They are designed to cover up failings of the public health system."
Source: Parliamentary Submission, MEAG
Patient advocacy organisation MEAG documented:
HCCC disobedience of its legislative parameters and lack of accountability
Regional health systems where "bad doctors" are protected and allowed to continue practicing
Cases where MEAG had to report failures to police because local health districts and NSW Health failed to act
NSW Health's pattern of establishing "selective inquiries" to avoid embarrassing revelations
MEAG doing the work of NSW Health without resources while being "denigrated for pointing out its failures"
Issues:
The HCCC operates as a statutory body with significant prosecutorial powers but limited external oversight
Complaints and reports to the HCCC are often protected by legal immunities, which can be misused to shield misconduct within the complaints process
Opaque processes and lack of transparency in complaint assessments, decision-making, and internal misconduct investigations
The HCCC refuses to provide detailed explanations citing "confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations"
Issues:
The HCCC works closely with other government agencies (police, Crown Solicitor, health departments), creating institutional biases and conflicts of interest
Former government lawyers, including former Crown Solicitors, have been appointed to senior NCAT positions overseeing appeals of HCCC decisions, creating perceived or real conflicts of interest
This creates a "revolving door" where government insiders move between prosecution and adjudication roles
Pattern: The HCCC accepts anonymous, unverified complaints and proceeds with investigations and assessments without adequate due diligence, conflating allegations and denying practitioners procedural fairness and opportunity to respond.
Pattern: The HCCC routinely accepts institutional assurances (apologies, promises of training) as sufficient resolution without investigating underlying systemic issues, allowing problematic practitioners and practices to continue.
The HCCC appears to breach the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (NSW), including:
Failure to complete investigations within statutory timeframes (s. 60-day assessment requirement)
Inadequate assessment contrary to s. 19(2) of the Act
Failure to provide practitioners with adequate opportunity to respond before assessment
Established: 2023
The NSW Parliament established a dedicated Committee on the Health Care Complaints Commission, recognizing ongoing systemic concerns and the need for sustained oversight.
Status: Active Parliamentary Inquiry
This inquiry examines systemic issues in the HCCC and broader health complaint handling processes.
Findings:
A "culture of fear" for speaking out about health system failures
Health services were inferior compared to metropolitan services
Recommendations for greater ombudsman powers to investigate alleged cover-ups of medical errors or deaths
Anonymous complaints accepted without verification
Allegations conflated or misrepresented
Practitioners denied adequate opportunity to respond
No appeal or review mechanism that provides genuine independent oversight
Accepts institutional assurances without investigation
Fails to pursue systemic issues in hospitals or services
Allows problematic practitioners to continue practicing
Fails to meet statutory timeframes
Delays publication of findings
Uses confidentiality claims to avoid transparency
Staff changes, resignations, and stress leave suggest internal dysfunction
HCCC appears to function as an extension of government and institutional interests
Whistleblowers are not protected; those who expose failures are marginalized
Political and institutional influence over decision-making
Appointment of former government lawyers to oversight bodies (NCAT)
Collusion with other government agencies (police, Crown Solicitor, health departments)
Patient Safety: The HCCC fails to investigate serious complaints about medical negligence, resulting in continued harm to patients
Practitioner Harassment: The HCCC accepts unverified, anonymous complaints and weaponizes its processes against practitioners, chilling legitimate professional speech
Institutional Corruption: The HCCC appears compromised by institutional relationships and government influence, unable to conduct independent investigations
Lack of Accountability: There is no effective mechanism to hold the HCCC accountable for procedural unfairness, fabricated findings, or systemic failure
Judicial Rubber-Stamping: NCAT appears to function as a rubber-stamp for HCCC decisions rather than as a genuinely independent review body, with former government lawyers appointed to key positions
Patients: Complaints about hospital care, medical negligence, and institutional failures are not adequately investigated
Practitioners: Subject to weaponization through anonymous complaints and unfair assessment processes, particularly those who speak out or challenge institutional narratives
Whistleblowers: Those who expose systemic failures face marginalization and retaliation
Regional and Rural Communities: Complaints are less likely to be prioritized or investigated
Fabrication of Evidence: Allegations are conflated, misrepresented, and not accurately reflected in HCCC assessments
Concealment of Evidence: Critical reports and findings are not disclosed or are deliberately obscured
Obstruction of Justice: The HCCC fails to investigate serious allegations and uses procedural mechanisms to block transparency
Abuse of Power: The HCCC accepts unverified complaints and proceeds with investigations without adequate due diligence
Institutional Collusion: Multiple government agencies coordinate to pursue complaints during ongoing proceedings in breach of procedural fairness
Breach of Statutory Duty: The HCCC fails to comply with timeframe requirements and statutory obligations under the Health Care Complaints Act 1993 (NSW)
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all interactions with the HCCC, including dates, persons spoken to, and content of discussions
Seek Legal Advice: Before engaging with the HCCC, consult a lawyer experienced in administrative and health law
Request Formal Correspondence: Insist on written responses and avoid telephone communications that leave no record
Appeal and Review: Do not accept HCCC decisions without challenge; pursue internal appeals and external review through NCAT
Report Misconduct: Lodge formal complaints about HCCC misconduct with:
NSW Ombudsman
NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
NSW Parliament and relevant committees
Your local member of parliament
Support Parliamentary Oversight: Engage with parliamentary committees investigating the HCCC
Join Advocacy Groups: Connect with organizations like the Medical Error Action Group and others challenging HCCC failures
Share Your Story: Contribute to public discourse about HCCC failures by documenting and publicizing your experience
Demand Reform: Advocate for legislative reform to enhance HCCC accountability, transparency, and independence
The HCCC requires urgent and comprehensive reform to address systemic failures and corruption:
Strengthen statutory timeframe requirements and implement meaningful penalties for non-compliance
Establish independent external oversight body separate from government
Require full transparency in decision-making and reasoning
Enhance protections for practitioners' procedural fairness and right to respond
Establish genuine independent review mechanisms outside government influence
Remove former government lawyers from positions of oversight
Establish whistleblower protection and investigation mechanisms
Implement staff training on procedural fairness and administrative law
Create independent complaints mechanism for public complaints about HCCC misconduct
Ensure NCAT members are genuinely independent and free from government influence
Establish robust mechanisms to address bias and misconduct by tribunal members
Require detailed written reasons for all decisions with engagement with contested issues
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) exercises full jurisdiction over unregistered health practitioners, including naturopaths, nutritionists, counsellors, and massage therapists. While such practitioners are outside the medical registration system, the HCCC’s approach to complaints against them appears disproportionately punitive and aggressive.
For example, the 2019 Public Statement and Permanent Prohibition Order against Mrs. Barbara O’Neill, a naturopath and health educator, illustrates this pattern. Mrs. O’Neill was prohibited from providing any health services for allegedly making “dubious and dangerous” health claims around infant nutrition, cancer treatment, antibiotics, and vaccinations—claims not supported by mainstream medicine.
This case, whilst serious, stands in stark contrast to many documented cases where medical doctors alleged to have committed far more serious professional misconduct have faced less aggressive or less successful prosecution. This disparity generates a perception that the HCCC is more inclined to prosecute practitioners based on their ideological alignment with the medical or pharmaceutical industries rather than the actual risk posed to public safety.
Registered medical practitioners, especially those aligned with conventional pharmaceutical and medical institutions, frequently appear shielded from the full force of regulatory prosecution, contrasting with the vigorous pursuit of complaints against alternative and holistic health practitioners. The reluctance of the HCCC to vigorously pursue certain complaints against medical practitioners, coupled with frequent internal protections, feeds public and practitioner perceptions of inequitable treatment.
Cases such as the ongoing delays and procedural anomalies faced by practitioners opposing established medical orthodoxies illustrate this bias. The prosecutorial focus on ideological “non-conformists” while protecting establishment-aligned doctors suggests that the HCCC’s decisions are influenced by considerations beyond the public interest and safety alone.
Further, the HCCC’s public communication and complaint-handling processes often contribute to demonizing unregistered practitioners through smear campaigns. Public warning statements, media releases, and social media posts disproportionately focus on unregistered providers framed as “dangerous” spiritual or holistic healers, often omitting proportional analysis or context.
This public demonization not only damages professional reputations but also creates a chilling effect within the complementary medicine community, suppressing legitimate health choices and alternative treatment advocacy. Specialist practitioners who challenge pharmaceutical hegemony or traditional medical paradigms report facing persistent regulatory harassment and surveillance.
These systemic patterns point to an ideologically driven regulatory model wherein the HCCC acts as an enforcement arm of orthodox healthcare interests, to the detriment of practitioner diversity and genuine patient choice. This bias undermines both the legitimacy of the HCCC and its professed mission to protect public health.
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission has become a dangerous and corrupt agency that threatens rather than protects public safety. Documented evidence of fabricated findings, concealed evidence, obstruction of justice, procedural unfairness, and institutional collusion demonstrates a systemic failure that requires urgent parliamentary and judicial intervention.
The HCCC must be held accountable. The public deserves a fair, independent, and transparent complaints mechanism that protects both patient safety and practitioner rights. Until genuine reform occurs, the HCCC poses a significant risk to the community.
ABC News, "NSW Health looks at hospital complaints process after...", April 18, 2019
ABC News, "NSW Health Minister questioned over why...", September 5, 2019
RACGP newsGP, "'Doctors might be intimidated': GP blasts NSW complaints...", March 18, 2022
ABC News, "Investigation underway after 30 women complain about...", June 7, 2023
ABC News, "Whistleblower claims under-reporting in mental health is...", July 6, 2021
ABC News, "Emil Gayed complainants were 'failed' by NSW health...", February 7, 2019
CODEA, "Dr Emil Gayed: professional misconduct—the adequacy of...", 2019
NSW Parliament, "Review of the Health Care Complaints Commission's 2021-22 and 2022-23 annual reports", 2023
Reddit r/AusLegal, "Taking a complaint to HCCC", August 7, 2025
NSW Parliament, "Medical Error Action Group Submission", Health Outcomes and Access Inquiry
NSW Parliament, "Committee on the Health Care Complaints Commission"
NSW Parliament, "Inquiry into health care complaints and complaint handling in NSW"
Report End
Disclaimer: This report is compiled from publicly available information, media investigations, parliamentary documents, and public testimonies. The conclusions are based on documented evidence of systemic failure, as reported by reputable media outlets, parliamentary committees, patient advocacy groups, and public commentaries. This report does not constitute legal advice and is intended to inform the public about documented concerns regarding the NSW HCCC's operations.