News Article
19 October 2009
Press release
Chesterfield GP practice manager sentenced for fraud
For immediate release – Monday 19th October 2009
A GP practice manager has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for 2 years for the theft of over £56,000 from her employers (Derby Crown Court, Friday 16 October). She was also ordered to observe a six month curfew from 6pm to 6am and to undertake 200 hours unpaid work. The conviction concludes an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service and efforts will be made to recover the losses.
Christine Unwin took £56,505 in total: £31,573 from the Holywell House Medical Practice, Holywell Street, Chesterfield and £24,932 from the Leyfield Surgery, 2 Eckington Rd, Staveley. In sentencing, the judge remarked upon her “previous good character and remorse”.
Unwin, 53, of Ralph Road, Staveley, earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of Obtaining Property by Deception under Section 15(1) of the Theft Act 1968.
She spent over 18 years working in her home village at Leyfield Surgery and kept her job when it merged with Holywell House in April 2006. She was responsible for the payroll as well as banking money. Despite receiving a 60 percent pay rise, she took advantage of her trusted position in the newly-merged practice.
Over the next two years (between April 2006 and April 2008) she diverted over 60 outgoing cheques, the majority into her own bank account and the remainder into the old Leyfield practice account, which she was supposed to have closed. Unwin also made out a £1,500 cheque to her daughter (who was unaware the money was stolen).
Unwin wrote cheque payee names in pencil, sought the required approval from GPs for the cheques when they were especially busy, and then erased the payee, replacing it with her own name in ink.
After colleagues grew suspicious, Unwin admitted to one offence, claiming she had money troubles. She was suspended and, shortly afterwards, offered her resignation. She was arrested by Chesterfield Police and made some limited admissions including how, at one stage, she tried to return money to a Leyfield doctor’s account via cheques drawn on the Holywell account.
The NHS Counter Fraud Service then gradually uncovered the full extent of her activities.
Derek Johnson, Deputy Head of Operations, NHS Counter Fraud Service, said today: “This case sends out the message that people found to be abusing a position of trust in the health service to benefit themselves can expect to be prosecuted. The NHS Counter Fraud Service will always follow up on suspicions of fraud, investigate thoroughly and where appropriate, ensure suspects are prosecuted”.
-ENDS-
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS CFS press office on 020 7895 4524 /4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CF can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and Department of Health whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
2. Around 319 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales.
3.The NHS Counter Fraud Service has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. In 2007-08 NHS CFS saved the NHS £7,565,014
4. In 2007-08 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
5. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.