Fraudster nurse pocketed thousands in sick pay... while working second job

A Merseyside nurse fraudulently claimed nearly £6,000 in sick pay while secretly employed at another NHS trust.

Lian Kenny raked in the cash from from North West Care NHS Foundation Trust, which subsequently merged with Mersey Care - despite being fit enough to work elsewhere.

The registered nurse, who qualified in September 2015, has now branded the fraud a "lapse in judgement".

A Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing examined the case, with Mrs Kenny admitting the charge against her in full.

She served as a community nurse team leader at the Trust from December 2018 until October 2021.

But between August 2020 and October 2021, Mrs Kenny also worked for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust through an agency while claiming sick pay at the same time.

During this period, she was supposedly too unwell to carry out her duties at Mersey Care.

A colleague reported the situation in September 2021, prompting an investigation.

The Mersey Internal Audit Agency conducted an anti-fraud inquiry into the matter.

Investigators determined that Mrs Kenny had received £5,993.51 in sick pay during the period in question.

The audit agency did not recommend criminal prosecution, noting the overpayment was relatively modest and could be returned.

Both Mrs Kenny and the NMC agreed she had acted dishonestly for personal financial gain.

The parties agreed her conduct fell significantly below the standards expected of a registered nurse.

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Mrs Kenny fully repaid the money to Mersey Care and demonstrated remorse for her actions.

In her statement to the NMC, she said: "I deeply regret my lapse in judgement."

She added: "I want to assure the NMC that I do not see myself as a nurse who made a harmless mistake."

Mrs Kenny stated: "I see myself as a nurse who failed to show courage when it mattered and who has worked deliberately to ensure that failure is not repeated."

She told the panel: "I have learned that professionalism is not about perfection; it is about accountability."

Mrs Kenny requested the panel consider not only her mistake but the person she has become through confronting it.

She also committed to upholding NMC Code standards, stating they reflect "the nurse I intend to be."

The NMC determined the risk of her repeating such misconduct was minimal.

Mrs Kenny now works solely for Alamaz Limited as clinical lead for their vaccination service.

She received an immediate six-month suspension from nursing - and will now be permitted to resume her career on October 27.