NHS fraudster falsely claimed her mum was dead to get paid leave despite secret second job

An NHS executive lied about the death of her mother in order to take paid leave, whilst earning £550 a day at a secret second job, a court heard.

Leanne Underhill, 46, worked as an interim human resources manager at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), earning an £80,000 a year salary.

In May 2024 she took compassionate leave, citing the close family bereavement, however she had secured another HR role at Birmingham City Council - 170 miles away - and was working there all the while.

The NHS trust became suspicious when they were contacted at the end of May that year by external recruitment firm Morgan Law.

They asked for a reference from the Trust for the new job Underhill had started in Birmingham without alerting them.

The NHS's Counter Fraud team began an investigation and interviewed Underhill in July.

She admitted she had started a job elsewhere, but initially claimed she had issues with her line manager which meant she could not return to work at the Trust.

Underhill ended the voluntary interview when they asked about her mother and the bereavement leave she had taken, and it wasn't until a second interview in November 2024 that she admitted lying about her mother's death.

She said she had been suffering with acute mental health problems stemming from drink and drug issues.

Underhill, of Street, Somerset, sobbed in the dock at Poole Magistrates' Court in Dorset as she was sentenced for three counts of fraud by false representation between May and June 2024.

She was handed a compensation order after pleading guilty.

Robert Salame, prosecuting, said: "Beginning in April 2024, the defendant moved on to a fixed term contract of six months as an HR manager at University Hospitals Dorset.

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"She told them her mother passed away on May 1 and she had arranged her funeral for May 23.

"She handed in her notice on the May 8 but she started working at Birmingham City Council on a daily rate of £550.

"The defendant was found out by a reference request after she started the new full time role at the council.

"Her contract was then terminated at the council and she was interviewed in July 2024.

"The defendant admitted she had worked elsewhere as she felt she could not return to her NHS role because of difficulties with her line manager.

"In her second interview in November 2024 she admitted her mother had not passed away and blamed drink and drugs.

"While the value of the fraud is not excessive, with the position the defendant was in as a senior HR executive, it is a clear breach of trust".

The court heard that she had dishonestly accrued £2,258 in wages, and the investigation had cost the NHS £4,940.

Underhill, representing herself, said she was in so much debt after losing her job that she could not afford to pay both her bills and the money she owed before now.

The mother-of-two told the court she was ashamed of her actions, breaking down in court as she said: "I am deeply ashamed and I have learnt a very hard lesson. It has been to the detriment of my professional career".

Underhill had previously paid back £250, and was ordered by the judge to pay the remaining unpaid £6,948.

Deputy Judge Roderick Hine told Underhill: "You have got yourself in a bit of a mess and compounded it by not taking the option to pay it back. I am going to order you to pay compensation".

Pete Papwoth, chief finance officer at UHD, said: "The NHS is under huge financial pressure, and our trust works closely with Tiaa, our counter fraud specialist, to investigate any suspected fraud.

"We are pleased that this case of false representation has been resolved with money being paid back to us, as this will go towards supporting patient care.

"We are grateful to Tiaa for their support in this complex case".

Tiaa provides specialistcassurance and advisory services to the NHS, focusing on counter-fraud, internal audit, security management, and IT governance.

With more than 25 years of experience in the sector, the firm helps NHS trusts "manage risks, improve financial controls, and ensure compliance with regulations".