Media statement from the Chair of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, Rilka Warbanoff – as provided to The Advertiser/Sunday Mail in response to their receipt of a letter sent to the Board.
I can confirm that an anonymous letter was received by a number of Board members in mid-January. This letter made a range of serious allegations against a staff member of The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRFG).
Our organisation has clear and robust policies regarding workplace conduct. As such, the Board referred the matter for immediate investigation, undertaken by our Head of People, Culture & Safety.
This investigation found that the allegations raised against this individual in this letter are untrue and are refuted.
The Board has accepted the findings of the investigation. It considers the matter closed and fully stands behind the staff member in question.
Furthermore, THRFG considers that any publication of the staff member’s name or the baseless claims made in this letter would likely constitute grounds for the staff member to seek legal redress.
For additional context:
- The letter states the staff member’s behaviour “has been reported for years”. This is incorrect. Our Head of People, Culture & Safety confirms that no formal complaints or reports of bullying or harassment have been made relating to this staff member.
- The letter states that our Employee Assistance Program provider submitted a report in late 2025 “substantiating our concerns”. This is incorrect. No such findings appear in the provider’s report, and we have confirmed directly with the provider that they do not have any records that substantiate these claims.
- We have clear and confidential processes in place to enable staff to raise concerns safely and directly so they can be properly assessed and addressed.
- The letter states the CEO will be retiring in 2026. This is incorrect.
THRFG is committed to funding life-changing medical research, patient care in hospitals and allied health services in the community – with the heart of our mission being to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
As a charitable organisation entrusted with the support of the community, we uphold the highest standards of governance, transparency and integrity in how we operate and deliver on our purpose.
We are dedicated to fostering a respectful and safe workplace and encourage any employee with concerns to use our established reporting channels so matters can be properly and fairly reviewed.
For full transparency, it is our policy to publish all media responses in full on our website if/when publication of a story occurs.
Many thanks
Rilka Warbanoff
Chair of The Hospital Research Foundation Group
