Nurse Speaks Out Against Reeves

27th March 2008

The Member for Bega Andrew Constance has urged Pambula and Bega nurses to come
forward now that a midwife who worked with Doctor Reeves at Sydney Adventist
Hospital has spoken out, claiming a written complaint she made about him was ignored
by the hospital.

Sandy Brooks is the first nurse to speak publicly about Graeme Reeves working
illegally as an obstetrician at Pambula and Bega public hospitals in 2002.

“I hope that Sandy Brooks inspires local nurses to come forward who are fearful of
losing their jobs given written instructions by the health service that no one
should speak to the media.

“The whole system is crook when the women victims, their families and the wider
community cannot get answers out of the Iemma Government about Reeves because nurses
are being intimidated.

“Maybe the Health Minister should explain the departmental memo to staff two weeks
ago telling them to keep their mouths shut,” Mr Constance said.

“Ms Meagher has attempted to cover this up since September 2007 when I first brought
this to the attention of the Iemma Government in the Parliament. She is now at it
again,” he said.

“I dare the Minister to sack any nurse for coming forward and she will see a
community reaction like no other ever seen,” Mr Constance said.

“We need answers as to what the hell went on during 2002/3 and the nurses are vital
in putting this jigsaw together,” Mr Constance said.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported today that Ms Brooks, who was a midwife at
Sydney Adventist Hospital for 18 years before resigning in 2002, said she was upset
after seeing Mr Reeves attempt several unnecessary forceps deliveries before the
mother was fully dilated, and often without anaesthetic. Mr Reeves worked there from
1989 to 1998.

She said she had a “stand-up fight with him in the corridors” and refused to work
with him again. “I now regret that I didn’t follow things through,” she said. “They
[doctors] didn’t particularly like him but they didn’t interfere.”

It is reported that Ms Brooks said other nurses were also distressed about his
treatment of patients and one who still works there also made a written complaint.

“They were all worried about their jobs and it was silly really. They should have
just said something. They used to all talk about it in the tearoom and no one did
anything about it.”

Mr Constance has called on nurses to go forward to police and if the need support to
contact him directly on 0439311073.