Sick-pay fraudster receives community payback and compensation order

Claire Dawson, a band five nurse working in NHS Forth Valley, was accused of working elsewhere whilst absent from her NHS duties.

A CFS investigation identified that Dawson defrauded the health board of over £8,000 during the period of her absence.

Dawson pled guilty and on 28th March 2024, was sentence to a community payback order of 2 years unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £2,400 in compensation to NHS Forth Valley.

Enquiries are ongoing with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

What is sick pay fraud?

When an NHS employee claims to be unfit for work but is found working for another employer, the NHS loses either through:

• reduced patient services
• increased agency-staff costs.

Statement from Gordon Young, Head of Service, NHS Counter Fraud Services

We take any fraud committed against the NHS extremely seriously, and thoroughly investigate any suspicion of wrongdoing as this can ultimately impact on the health services ability to provide the best possible care to patients. The nursing community is a vital ally in the fight against NHS fraud. We believe working-whilst-sick fraud is still under-reported, and it is in all our interests that the perpetrators are identified and where appropriate prosecuted.

If you suspect fraud, bribery or corruption in NHS Scotland, Report it.

Fraud. The consequences are not worth the risk.