A nurse from Merseyside, Lian Kenny, has admitted to receiving almost £6,000 in sick pay from the NHS while working elsewhere fraudulently, describing it as a “harmless mistake.”

During a period spanning from August 2020 to October 2021, Kenny was on sick leave from North West Care NHS Foundation Trust, which later merged with Mersey Care. Despite her alleged incapacity to work, she was concurrently employed by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) conducted a hearing regarding Kenny’s actions. She became the subject of an investigation in September 2021 and accepted the charges during a hearing held in her absence. Kenny expressed deep regret and admitted to an error in judgment.

Employed as a community nurse team leader at the Trust from December 11, 2018, to October 31, 2021, Kenny was reported to the NMC by Maria Tyson, the head of nursing at Mersey Care, in November 2021.

The referral disclosed that Kenny was working for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust through an agency while being on paid sick leave from Mersey Care. An internal audit revealed that Kenny had collected £5,993.51 in sick pay from the Trust. However, no criminal action was recommended due to the relatively small overpayment.

Kenny and the NMC reached an agreement acknowledging her dishonest behavior and personal financial gain by accepting sick pay while working elsewhere. She repaid the full amount and demonstrated remorse and reflection, leading to her suspension from nursing for six months. Kenny is set to return to practice on October 27 and is currently employed as a clinical lead for Alamaz Limited’s vaccination service.