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A convict just freed from prison has been impersonating a doctor at Wellington Hospital and the Otago University medical school.
An urgent security email was sent to all Capital Coast District Health Board staff yesterday afternoon, after a warning from police about the convicted criminal.
“Security Alert: We have just had a call from NZ Police that a man called Peta Edwards, recently released inmate from Rimutaka Prison, has been seen on Wellington Hospital grounds and at Otago Medical School impersonating a doctor,” the email read.
“He has been seen wearing a white coat and stethoscope. If you see him, please ring security orderlies ASAP.”
Edwards, 26, was described as Maori, of medium build, and 1.72 metres tall.
Police spokesman Nick Bohm said Edwards was freed from prison on Monday last week. He had a history of impersonation and fraud convictions, but was not known to be dangerous.
It was possible his behaviour on hospital grounds could jeopardise his freedom, Mr Bohm said.
“He’s the subject of release conditions. We will be speaking with community probation about his most recent behaviour.
“The hospital is co-operating and has provided us with CCTV footage. It shows him inside the hospital.”
A Corrections Department spokesman said it would be investigating as well. Under his release conditions, Edwards was required to visit his community probation office once a week.
Capital Coast chief operating officer Chris Lowry said it was not yet clear why Edwards was impersonating a doctor.
“Wellington Hospital received a call from police alerting us that a man who was recently released from Rimutaka Prison had been seen on Wellington Hospital grounds. He was identified by a visiting Corrections officer.
“We are currently reviewing CCTV footage but have not had any notification of anything missing to date, or any untoward incidents occurring. We have circulated a picture of the man and advised staff to call security orderlies if he is seen.”
Edwards is not the first person to pose as a medical professional. In 2007, cross-dresser Turori Chapman was jailed for impersonating a clinical nurse specialist in four Christchurch hospitals.
Dressed as a woman, Chapman previously impersonated a doctor, and a police officer, for which he was also jailed.
In more tragic circumstances, Linda Astor, working under false pretences as a senior mental health doctor in the Hutt Valley in 1997, illegally freed schizophrenic Leslie Parr from care. Parr went on to behead girlfriend Fiona Maulolo with an axe.
Astor, a transsexual, lied about having psychiatry qualifications and made up references. Her employment record was not checked by medical authorities and she later fled the country.
In February this year, a 17-year-old was arrested after posing as a doctor in South Australia, wearing scrubs and a stethoscope and reading patient notes.
It is believed he may have administered unauthorised prescription drugs to a patient.
– © Fairfax NZ News
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