MULTIPLE investigations are underway into allegations of serious staff sexual misconduct, bullying, nepotism, patient abuse and claims of a culture of cover-up at a Wacol mental health facility.

The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) is investigating alleged staff corrupt conduct at the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service (WMHHS) The Park mental health unit.

A West Moreton Health statement acknowledged that it had received complaints over alleged corrupt practices by staff at The Park.

The allegations of corrupt behaviour and maladministration were first reported in 2021.

The CCC has ordered health bosses employ a Brisbane law firm to investigate the facility.

A WMH statement to the Ipswich Tribune read: “Earlier this year, we received complaints regarding alleged corrupt conduct by staff at The Park.

“As part of this ongoing review, one staff member has been stood down pending the outcome.”

Meanwhile, the Office of Health Ombudsman (OHO) is probing alleged cases of patient abuse.

“The allegations regarding staff behaviour were raised in an email to the health service on Monday, June 1, 2024,” a WMH statement read.

“We are working with staff to understand these matters and they will be managed in accordance with our complaints management policies.”

However, the Tribune has information that showed the matter was first brought to light almost two months ago.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Health Ombudsman said all health service complaints made to OHO were “thoroughly considered based on the best available information”.

“Our processes may involve working with complainants and the health service providers and organisations in a collaborative way so that the parties are aware of the reasons for our decisions … we encourage complainants to contact us.”

Other allegations include that several intellectually disabled patients were subjected to extensive and lengthy seclusion and that unknowing patients were administered psychotropic drugs in their food.

WMH stated that restraint was used as a last resort and that while there were allegations a patient had their head stomped on by a staff member, they could not be substantiated.

West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said that, last year, a clinical review was conducted to introduce “a more contemporary model of care”.

WMH said claims that the health service interfered with the review were false.

Ms Bloch said there was “a zero tolerance for any behaviours that compromised the safety and rights of … patients and staff”.

She added: “West Moreton Health does not tolerate any deviation from our standards of care and will continue to uphold the highest principles of mental health care delivery.”

The Park is the successor to the infamous Wolston Park Mental Hospital (at one time known as the Goodna Asylum for the Insane).

The Park high security inpatient service is the only forensic mental health facility in the state and treats people with a history of serious and violent offending involved in the criminal justice system.