An award-winning NHS neurological nurse, who moonlighted at a private hospital while on official sick pay, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Convicted: Bridgitte Magno & husband leave court
Bridgitte Magno, 32, was employed at King’s College Hospital, Camberwell, but says she was a victim of “bullying” and a “toxic environment” - forcing her to take time off due to mental stress.
However, it was discovered that while receiving a total of £2,587.36p in sick pay she worked shifts in the private health sector, via a specialist employment agency, Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard.
The Philippines-born mother-of-two, of Deventer Crescent, East Dulwich pleaded guilty to one count of fraud between December 14, 2020 and November 28, 2021.
After she resigned from the NHS she took a permanent £850 per-week role at the private Cleveland Clinic, Portland Place, and that position is now in jeopardy as a result of the conviction.
Senior Staff Nurse Magno was sentenced to twenty weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to repay the remaining £2,300 she still owes King’s College Hospital NHS Trust.
She referred herself to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and now potentially also faces professional conduct proceedings, which threatens her career and visa status in the UK.
Prosecutor Amanda McCabe told the court: “This is sick pay fraud. The defendant is a qualified nurse who was employed by the NHS at King’s College Hospital from 2019.
“The defendant, while working in he NHS, made dishonest false representations to make a gain for herself by taking sickness absences and working privately.”
During thirteen separate periods of absence between 2020 and 2021 Magno received sixty-two days of sick pay.
“The defendant attended interview and denied any wrongdoing,” explained Ms McCabe.
Magno earned approximately £8,000 working for the private health provider while on NHS sick pay, claiming she was under financial pressure to support her own family and her mother and siblings in the Philippines.
The fraud was finally exposed near the end of 2021. “She said she was suffering from stress so was unable to carry out shifts during her notice period.
“It was treated as sick leave and during that time she worked shifts for Thornbury Nursing Services and this brought up concerns about her previous sickness absences.
“The prosecution say this is a Category A offence of fraud over a substantial period.”
Magno promised to repay the money to the NHS, but only made two payments of £187.36 and £100.00.
Her lawyer, who refused to give her name, told the court: “Her husband is in court to support her and I submit she is entitled to full credit for her early guilty plea.
“She is very well educated and came to the UK with a great deal of nursing experience and her visa is due to expire in 2024.
“She has children aged ten and seven and is currently eight months pregnant and has worked for King’s College Hospital for a number of years in exemplary fashion.
“She was a very good nurse and has received awards for her good work at the Trust. She loves what she does and takes pride in her work.
“She was placed in the stroke department and was not able to transfer to neurology - which is her expertise.
“However, she became unwell due to the toxic environment, was bullied and shouted at in front of patients and her mental well-being deteriorated.
“After periods of sick leave she always returned back to work with gusto. She loved being a nurse.
“She was suffering financial difficulties. Her father had died and she had to support her mother in the Philippines and her siblings and their children and her mental health led to some poor decisions.
“She did bank work via an agency, which is not prohibited. She fully regrets that bank work while she was depressed and suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The conviction means her work prospects are severely jeopardised as well as her visa. She has been in the country five years and is currently eight months pregnant.
“She is an excellent nurse, who has been the recipient of many awards and the Nursing and Midwifery Council are awaiting today’s outcome to see if her licence should be revoked.
“If she cannot work in this country she will have to return to the Philippines.”
Magistrate Roger Brice told Magno: “We have listened very carefully to what’s been said by the Crown and on your behalf.
“The public do not expect their funds to be dishonestly taken from them. Taxpayers expect their funds to go to healthcare and not be defrauded by those that work within the NHS.
“We are not going along with the pre-sentence report, which is very light. We are not going to send you to prison today, but it was an option.”
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