11/06/2010

Hospital Official Jailed Over Fraud

An extensive investigation undertaken by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) and the Metropolitan Police has yesterday culminated in a senior NHS manager being jailed.

The woman was convicted for defrauding the National Health Service of over £200,000.

Louise Tomkins, aged 47, of Faygate, Horsham, West Sussex address, pleaded guilty to one charge of making a false representation contrary to The Fraud Act 2006 covering the period July 2007 to September 2008.

She was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court yesterday to two years and nine months imprisonment. Confiscation proceedings have commenced to recover the falsely obtained monies.

Tomkins abused her position of trust as a general manager at the former Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust (now Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust) and then interim Director of Operations for Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, to divert public money to fund her private horse and stud farm business.

Her role at the Hammersmith Hospital included acting as a Fund Advisor for Hospital Charitable Funds. Using falsified invoices Tomkins misused Charitable Funds for her own business.

Tomkins was suspended by Imperial College NHS Trust on 23 September 2008 shortly after allegations were first made. She was charged at Hammersmith and Fulham police station on 11 August 2009.

At a disciplinary hearing held by the Trust on 27 November 2009 she was dismissed for gross misconduct.

However, whilst under investigation, she continued to seek employment in the NHS using Employment Agencies. She even attempted to gain work under the names of Tonka Joud or Rosemarie Joud.

The investigation also prevented the payment of a substantial redundancy package of £41,944.00 being granted to Tomkins after she had brought a grievance against the Trust.

Following her earlier guilty plea, sentencing was adjourned by the court to allow Tomkins time to sell her horses to achieve the best possible prices in order to satisfy any future confiscation order.

(BMcC/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
05 September 2011
Bust Hospital To Become Flats
A major London hospital could be sold off and turned into flats, according to findings by the Independent. St May's Hospital, Paddington, is a 166-year-old training hospital in Central London and part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which is in financial turmoil.
05 June 2015
New £2m Helipad Developed At Hospital In Devon
A new helipad has been built at Derriford Hospital in Devon. The £2 million facility will allow air ambulances to land at night. Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters can also be facilitated. The previous landing area, a grassy region with no lights, was described as "unsuitable" for larger helicopters.
26 February 2014
Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust To Be Scrapped
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust is to be scrapped, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced. The trust has been in administration since April when it was condemned by watchdog Monitor as "unsustainable". The Trust's two hospitals are to remain open but the majority of services are to be moved to other facilities.