A doctor who defrauded both the NHS and his fellow medics has been ordered by Cardiff Crown Court to pay back £66,838.47 today (11 May 2021). This follows a financial investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (Wales) under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Dr Aled Meirion Jones (age 39, of Cardiff) was earlier sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, on 09 March 2021 after pleading guilty to two counts of Fraud by Abuse of Position (contrary to Section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006).
Dr Jones had fraudulently diverted 420 stolen cheques, each totalling between £75 - £82 into his own bank accounts. The cheques were stolen from his colleagues at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board. Dr Jones also submitted false claims for exaggerated hours and locum shifts he did not work.
He was reported via the NHS Counter Fraud Authority’s Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line and was found to have used the ill-gotten gains to sustain his gambling addiction – a mitigating factor in his sentencing, which was classified as a medical condition.
After his conviction, work continued for the NHS CFS (Wales) team as they started their financial investigation, seeking redress.
The matter has also been referred to the General Medical Council who are currently undertaking a Professional Disciplinary investigation.
Cheryl Hill, Deputy Head of NHS CFS Wales, said today: “Today’s result shows how determined we are in ensuring that any money defrauded from NHS Wales is recovered so it can be used for its intended purpose of patient care. Dr Jones abused his position of trust by fraudulently cashing death certification cheques and also falsifying timesheets for locum shifts he did not work. We are very pleased that the money he defrauded from NHS Wales will be returned.”
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If you suspect that anyone is committing fraud or another economic crime against the NHS, tell NHSCFA about it – you can visit our main website to report online: www.cfa.nhs.uk or telephone our 24-hour reporting line 0800 028 40 60.
“NHS fraud. Spot it, report it, together we stop it”
For more information contact the NHSCFA press office on 07747 461860 / media@nhscfa.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
- The NHS Counter Fraud Authority is a Special Health Authority established under the NHS Act 2006 as amended. It is sponsored by the Department for Health and Social Care, accountable to the department’s Anti-Fraud Unit (AFU).
- The NHSCFA assess that the NHS vulnerability to fraud, bribery and corruption leads to an estimated loss of £1.21 billion (2018-19).
- When NHSCFA uses the term ‘fraud’, we refer to a range of economic crimes, such as fraud, bribery, corruption or any other illegal acts committed by an individual or group of individuals to obtain a financial or professional gain.
- NHSCFA also supports the work of the NHS Counter Fraud Service (Wales).
- NHSCFA works closely with NHS Local Counter Fraud Specialists across the NHS in England to ensure that healthcare crime is tackled, and a culture of fraud prevention and deterrence is in place.
- NHSCFA works collaboratively with NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services on fraud issues.
- There are some 300 professionally trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists in place within health bodies across England and Wales.