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A former NHS IT worker has today been sentenced to 140 hours Community Service after netting more than £4,500 by altering medical certificates and stealing computers from Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Stephen Dowie (31) from Dalkeith, who was employed at the Royal Infirmary as a Systems Analyst, altered his medical certificates in order to extend periods of sick leave, and also stole several laptops.

He pled guilty on 18th June 2008 to the theft of laptop computers and to falsifying medical certificates. The fraud and theft took place between June – November 2007.

The fraud came to light after a joint investigation by NHSScotland Counter Fraud Services (CFS) and Lothian and Borders Police as both theft and fraud were suspected.

Maggie Worsfold, CFS Communications Manager, said: “Fraud in the health service will not be tolerated. By pleading guilty Mr Dowie recognised that he acted dishonestly.”

 “Any money defrauded from the NHS is money which could be used for essential medical treatment. Abuse of the NHS will not be tolerated and those who commit fraud will be pursued rigorously with a view to ensuring that NHS funds are spent on patient care as intended.”

CFS is dedicated to eradicating all fraud against the NHS.  Working in close partnership with other NHSS organisations they have successfully delivered savings in excess of £14 million since their inception in 2000.

Counter Fraud Services in Scotland will continue to work with the honest majority of people involved with the NHS to promote the message that frauds against the NHS are unacceptable and will lead to prosecution.

ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NHS COUNTER FRAUD SERVICES