Alleged Christchurch hospital imposter turns himself in

Christchurch Hospital

A man who allegedly infiltrated hospitals in Christchurch by posing as a nurse and took a health board vehicle has handed himself in to police.

Police said the man had allegedly obtained Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) photo ID and spent time in wards of up to three local hospitals, driving health board cars during that time and eventually taking one and not returning it.

Detective Dave Harvey of Christchurch police said a man sought in relation to the issue turned himself in to Wanganui police today and was due to appear in Wanganui District Court tomorrow on unrelated matters.

Charges were likely to be laid in relation to the Christchurch incidents once police finished investigating exactly what had happened.

Mr Harvey said he wouldn't comment further on the matter until tomorrow. It was not known whether the missing car had been located.

The imposter was understood to have spent time in Princess Margaret, Christchurch, and possibly Hillmorton hospitals, pretending to be a nurse and Maori health worker.

Yesterday police said they had received a lot of information about the alleged offender and were confident they knew who it was.

The health board was also conducting its own investigation into the activities and into any breach of security.

A spokeswoman said the investigation was started as soon as the health board became aware of the issue.

Results of the investigation would be supplied to Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson, who announced yesterday he was conducting his own inquiry.

- NZPA