A nurse has been deregistered for falsely claiming nearly £20,000 for shifts she did not actually work. Faith Chareka, employed in the emergency department at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey, was found guilty of fraudulent conduct by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) following the addition of 50 shifts between November 1, 2020, and February 1, 2023.
The shifts in question were predominantly paid at an increased rate meant for night shifts, bank holidays, and weekends, resulting in a total sum of £19,575.41. Additionally, Chareka acquired 540 hours of time off in lieu (TOIL) without fulfilling the corresponding work requirements.
Upon sentencing, the judge remarked that Chareka engaged in deliberate and repeated dishonesty over a two-year period. She admitted guilt in 2024 and received an 18-month suspended sentence, along with a rehabilitation activity mandate for 15 days and an obligation of 200 hours of unpaid work. Chareka was terminated from her position by the trust in 2023 following an internal investigation.
During the court proceedings, it was highlighted that the fraudulent actions were committed against a publicly funded NHS entity facing financial constraints. The NMC’s representative, Rosie Welsh, emphasized that Chareka’s misconduct jeopardized patient care by possibly causing understaffing and service disruptions in the emergency department.
Chareka’s defense attorney, Alexandra Monaghan, acknowledged her client’s remorse and understanding of the severity of her actions. The report detailed that Chareka manipulated work shifts for personal gain and accumulated TOIL, which had implications on staffing resources and the trust’s financial stability.
The NMC urged for Chareka’s removal from the nursing register as the only adequate measure to uphold public trust in the profession and address the seriousness of her misconduct. Despite arguments that Chareka had already faced legal consequences, the panel proceeded with striking her off the register. An interim suspension order was also imposed for 18 months pending any potential appeals before the deregistration takes effect.