A middle manager working across north-west Tasmanian hospitals generated fear in some of his juniors, regularly fell asleep at work, and took hospital doors and lights, possibly to build his own house, according to evidence heard by the Integrity Commission.

A report from the commission tabled in State Parliament on Tuesday made a series of damning findings against former Tasmanian Health Service corporate services director Simon Foster, who left the organisation in July last year.

It found Mr Foster gained personal advantage, influenced recruitment, mistreated and intimidated employees, was absent from work without explanation, and had conflicts of interest.

It also found the Tasmanian Health Service had not adequately supervised or managed him, with the exception of one senior manager.

But Mr Foster was also described as having a health condition that may have affected his behaviour.

This included claims he encroached on personal space with women and said phrases such as “it’s my building” or “I don’t answer to them” when challenged. Mr Foster denied this.

Mr Foster was described as having excessive time away from work, not all of it formally recorded.

There was speculation he may have been working at Yarandoo Aged Care Facility or visiting properties he owned during THS work time.

Some witnesses suggested to the Integrity Commission that this may have contributed to the perception of underperformance.

One example of the consequence of this was the botched launch of the North West Regional Hospital’s helipad in 2017.

Helicopter plans delayed without manual

In late 2016, Mr Foster was completing an operations manual for the helipad before it could be used.

“He was provided a template, referred to an aviation consultant for support and also had the support of the project manager,” the report said.

“The site was opened by the Premier on 1 April 2017, but was immediately closed.

“Helicopters were unable to use the pad until the manual was completed. Ultimately this work was done by the project manager.”

In early 2018, Mr Foster was alerted to issues with drinking water at the Old Nurses Home at the Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe.

It took about two weeks for that testing to occur. Challenged on the delay, Mr Foster asked a subordinate to request an alteration to the date the testing was requested.

“Mr Foster also alleged that the employee had been underperforming, and that he would pursue this issue,” the Integrity Commission report said.

“Employees bore the brunt of Mr Foster’s at times inappropriate conduct and performance. These employees had the right to a safe working environment and were not provided with it.

As well as exclusively driving a government-plated Subaru Forester intended for use among several employees, Mr Foster was alleged to have behaved like a “hoarder” in taking low-value THS equipment for personal use.

“[Witnesses] suggested that some of the items were either in or part of his house, and also other buildings on a parcel of land he owned were built from items that he took from the THS,” the report said.

“Mr Foster did not initially volunteer he had removed any of the items, other than some old doors and lighting, and had to be prompted with the identity of the items,” it stated.

‘Litany of medical issues’ contributed to behaviour

The Integrity Commission also slammed Mr Foster as having played a “pivotal role” in the appointment of a long-term acquaintance, and taking part in an investigation into false overtime and call-back pay claims that he had approved.

But the report said:

“Mr Foster’s resistance to fully informing his managers of his health issues was understandable, yet this resistance did not assist him or the workplace.

“He conceded in interview that he wished he had asked for help earlier.”

In a statement, Minister for Health Sarah Courtney said the “behaviour that is outlined in the Integrity Commission’s Summary Report, which was tabled in Parliament today, is unacceptable”.

“I have asked the Secretary of the Department of Health to review the report and provide the Government with advice as to whether any further action is required regarding the specific matters raised,” Ms Courtney said.

In a statement, Health Department secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said she acknowledged the findings of the Integrity Commission.

“We have strengthened policies and processes around conflict of interest and will continue to have these embedded in our workforce through appropriate training and support,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

The North West Regional Hospital, at Burnie, and the Mersey Community Hospital, at Latrobe, were recently closed because of a local coronavirus outbreak.

The Mersey is yet to fully reopen its emergency department because of issues in bringing in locums.