Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/hikrcn
Italy

Doctor who skipped work to play tennis among staff investigated in mass absenteeism scam

The two-year investigation was conducted by police into the hospital.

NEARLY 100 STAFF at a hospital in southern Italy have been questioned in connection with a widespread absenteeism scandal, including a doctor who skived off to play tennis, police have said.

During a two-year investigation which involved the use of hidden cameras, police gathered evidence of a well-run system at the Loreto Mare hospital in Naples where certain employees clocked in on behalf of 94 absent colleagues.

Two social workers alone were found to be holding 20 staff cards which they would use to clock in at the entrance to the hospital for the absentees.

A total of 55 people have been placed under house arrest by the city’s prosecutor – a neurologist, a gynaecologist, nine radiologists, 18 nurses, six administrative workers, nine maintenance technicians and 11 social workers, police said.

Among those milking the system were officials who were in charge of keeping staff registers up to date, including one who skipped work to go and work as a chef at a nearby hostel.

© – AFP, 2017

Read: ‘Thanks to books, I feel free’: The man with the most degrees in history

Read: Irish rugby fan arrested in Italy after ‘trying to grab soldier’s machine gun’

Your Voice
Readers Comments
14
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.