Statement from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

24 Dec 2014

Mr Harpeet Singh: registration cancelled and disqualified from applying for registration as a nurse for 20 months.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has cancelled the registration of registered nurse Mr Harpeet Singh and disqualified him from applying for registration as a nurse in Australia for 20 months from 16 December 2014.

This decision follows an earlier finding of professional misconduct for sexual conduct relating to three female inpatients of a mental health facility. This comprised opportunistic physical conduct of a sexual nature and sexualised verbal conduct on three separate occasions over a five-month period.

The tribunal found that Mr Singh’s conduct constituted a ‘course of behaviour’ and concluded that a global penalty covering all findings was appropriate in this case, particularly in relation to protecting the public.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Chair, Dr Lynette Cusack RN, said the VCAT decision sends a clear message to all registered health practitioners.

‘Under the National Law, public safety is paramount and the Board’s main role is to help protect the public. This decision shows that the Board takes this responsibility very seriously and won’t tolerate any kind of professional misconduct’, said Dr Cusack.

The tribunal handed down its decision on 16 December 2014. The reasons for the decision will be soon be published by VCAT on the AustLII website.

For more information

• Visit the AHPRA website
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200

Download a PDF Media release - Nursing and Midwifery Board Statement - 24 December 2014 (48.1 KB,PDF)