One of the best tips for a first date is to be yourself. Unfortunately for one Brisbane man, that advice never really stuck.
According to a report in the last week, Nicholas Delaney spent six months roaming several hospitals in Queensland pretending to be a doctor. The Mail alleges Delaney infiltrated staff-only areas in an attempt to find a boyfriend.
The 25-year-old man reportedly swiped a lanyard from one of the hospitals which gave him access to staff-only areas of Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital and South Brisbane's Ronald McDonald House.
Delaney's plan began to unravel when another staff member started to notice he would mispronounce basic medical terminology.
While Delaney attempted to pass as a doctor in over 30 visits to the hospitals, Health Service Chief Executive of Children's Health Queensland, Fionnagh Dougan, said investigations by the hospitals revealed he had no actual patient interactions.
Appearing in court last week, Delaney was unrepresented, pleading guilty to three charges including one count of attempted fraud. Magistrate Stuart Shearer said Delaney would not be sentenced until he had spoken to a lawyer and adjourned the case to next month.
"It is hardly a trivial offence to be impersonating a doctor at a children's hospital," Shearer told the man. "You should understand the seriousness of the offences."
Dougan confirmed a review of security systems would be conducted at the hospitals moving forward.
