News / Patient expenses fraud triggers NHS review
NHS SHETLAND is to review its methods for paying patient travel expenses after two unemployed people were convicted of defrauding the system at Lerwick Sheriff Court.
On Wednesday 35 year old Darren Gear was ordered to pay back just half of the cash he obtained fraudulently by putting in false taxi claims, because the NHS staff in the patient travel department had been so lax.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard how Gear, of 2 Chalets, Ulsta, Yell, had stolen a taxi receipt book from a house in Brae on 2 February last year, along with a set of house keys and a pair of earrings.
Gear used the receipt book when he made bus trips to meet appointments at Gilbert Bain Hospital, claiming a total of £550 between 2 February and 14 April last year.
His friend 39 year old Tracey Birrell, of 10 Leaside, Mossbank, used the same receipt book to claim £80 fraudulently.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said: “The hospital made it very easy for these crimes to be committed.
“They would attend on a scheduled bus service, hand receipts in as an expenses claim and receive £80 for a journey for which there was a scheduled bus service…without anyone questioning that in any way at all.”
Gear’s defence agent Christopher Maitland said that at the time his client had gone without any benefits for over a month and was short of money.
“It seemed relatively easy and after managing to do it once and get away with it he just continued,” Mr Maitland said, after Gear pled guilty to theft and fraud.
Birrell’s agent Tommy Allan said she had only a minor part in the fraud, which she also admitted.
Sheriff Philip Mann said he could not be criticised for sending Gear to custody as he had a record including dishonesty, but instead he ordered him to carry out 160 hours community service and be supervised for 16 months.
He also reduced a compensation order to £275, half the amount Gear had obtained fraudulently, because of the lack of precautions taken by the hospital.
“I think the hospital authorities made it very easy for you, though that is by no means an excuse for this behaviour,” the sheriff said.
He deferred sentence on Birrell for six months to be of good behaviour.
NHS Shetland director of finance Colin Marsland said they could not respond in detail to the sheriff’s comments yet, but they would be reviewing their procedures in light of this case.
Mr Marsland said: “These claims are made under the Highlands and Islands travel scheme and in making claims patients are expected to provide a declaration on the purpose of the claim and to provide evidence of the costs incurred.”
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