A senior health department executive who hired Graeme Reeves AKA The Butcher of Bega, to work for him as an obstetrician, a branch of medicine and surgery involving pregnant women and those giving birth, has been found to have been warned that the practitioner was "not meant to do obstetrics" prior to giving him the job and yet still allowed for his employment.

During his time working at the South Coast hospitals in 2002 and 2003, Reeves is believed to have sexually assaulted and bungled hundreds of procedures on women.

A referee check for Reeves said that he was; "OK when normal and has apparently been normal. Last heard not meant to do obstetrics was holding fort at Hornsby … OK as long as treatment has been successful,"

Apparently the single other check on Reeves carried out was to make sure he did not have a criminal record, which when certified, meant he was given the job over two other applicants.

Medical negligence claims are to be assessed as soon as possible and the Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the Government would "take responsibility for any failings of public hospitals" and she would ensure medical negligence claims were assessed as quickly as possible.

Catherine is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.