Repeated theft and abuse of restricted drugs by doctors and nurses is highlighted in a damning report by Western Australia's corruption watchdog.
A doctor ignoring his patients and staring at medical equipment and a drug-affected nurse found slumped in a toilet are two of the cases included in a report by WA's Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).
The report, tabled in state parliament on Thursday, says WA Health is not effectively managing serious misconduct, which poses a risk to patients and costs taxpayers.
A CCC review of misconduct management in WA Health since 2007 uncovered serious cases of drug theft and abuse.
In one case, a nurse at a regional hospital stole and self-administered restricted drugs.
In another case, staff were reluctant to report an intensive care unit nurse who stole drugs and was found slumped in a toilet.
The CCC review also found mismanagement and a cover-up relating to a doctor who stole restricted drugs and drug administering equipment.
The doctor failed to pay proper attention to his patients and staggered around the hospital staring at medical equipment, the report says.
The CCC was told of other instances of staff stealing drugs, including ones who substituted saline water for restricted medications.
The CCC's report also referred to workplace cultures within hospitals that encouraged misconduct.
It found that staff in some cases believed working long hours in difficult conditions entitled them to steal medical items and drugs.
A culture of protection and loyalty was also found in which misconduct was not reported, while fear of reprisals deterred some staff from reporting misconduct.
The CCC's Director of Corruption Prevention, Roger Watson, said WA Health had yet to develop and implement an effective strategy to deal with and report misconduct.
Staff involved in serious misconduct had been sacked or had their cases referred to police.
Premier Colin Barnett said the revelations were concerning and would be addressed.
"Clearly what we need to do is have far more security and accountability over drugs that are in our health system for the care of patients.
"So they've uncovered a serious flaw in our health system and it will be fixed," the premier told the ABC.
The state opposition has called on the government to establish a high level anti-corruption task force to examine measures to stop restricted drug abuse in WA Health and reverse a culture of cover-up.
Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said the report painted a picture of a department out of control.
"A disturbing feature is the fact that some staff feel they need to take these powerful drugs to cope with their work life," Mr Cook said.
"We need to provide the resources to the doctors and nurses on the front line to create a professional culture not a culture under siege."
During the CCC review more than 300 staff were interviewed at Royal Perth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, the WA Country Health Service and other sites.
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