O ne individual, was given a 22‑month prison term, suspended for two years, at Wolverhampton Crown Court in February 2026. They were also instructed to complete a year‑long mental health treatment programme and take part in 62 days of rehabilitation across two schemes. They had admitted both counts of fraud by false representation at the same court in November 2025. The second individual was also handed a 22‑month sentence, suspended for two years, in February 2026. They were additionally required to undertake a three‑month alcohol treatment programme, complete ten days of rehabilitation, and carry out 175 hours of unpaid work within a year. They had previously pleaded guilty to the same two offences in November 2025. Between 2017 and 2024, the first individual worked as a locum paramedic for a private clinical staffing agency, managed by the second individual, who was responsible for NHS clients and staffing placements in the Midlands. In September 2022, the paramedic began working for an Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust. From that point until June 2024, they submitted timesheets that had been altered, exaggerated, or completely falsified, following instructions from the recruitment consultant.
to change timesheets and add extra shifts.
The paramedic was placed at two GP practices. Between September 2022 and March 2024, they submitted 69 falsified timesheets claiming for additional shifts not worked, totalling £34,386. Between March 2024 and June 2024, they continued to put in weekly paper timesheets despite no longer working for the trust. They amended dates on previously authorised documents and added new dates for weeks in which they had not worked, creating a further fraudulent claim of £29,449. The staffing agency has already made repayments to the NHS relating to these losses. Although the recruitment consultant did not receive direct payments from the paramedic, they earned commission for keeping the paramedic in post. It is estimated that £1,224 of this commission was linked to the fraudulent timesheets. NHSCFA Financial Investigators are now using powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to identify and recover the remaining money. A representative of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority stated that the outcome reflects the thorough work of investigators, who pieced together evidence from banking records, telecommunications and detailed interviews. They noted that the paramedic submitted false claims over nearly two years under the direction of their manager, emphasising the need for strong checks on timesheet processes. They added that the NHSCFA will continue to pursue those who misuse NHS resources and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.
The total loss to the NHS amounted to £63,835.
The trust reported the matter to the NHSCFA due to concerns about fraudulent activity. Investigators examined banking information, confirming that the paramedic had been paid the inflated amounts. Both individuals were interviewed voluntarily under caution, and witness accounts were collected. Telecommunications obtained from the paramedic showed the recruitment consultant directing them
COUNTER FRAUD | SCRUTTON BLAND | 7
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog