UPDATE: A nurse from Newcastle has been struck off following a misconduct hearing that revealed she worked agency shifts while receiving sick pay from the North East Ambulance Service. Karen Ann Eden, a senior clinical advisor, engaged in fraudulent activity that raised significant concerns over patient safety.
The misconduct panel reported that Eden took agency work for personal financial gain while off sick, undermining the trust placed in healthcare professionals. During the hearing, it was revealed that she signed timesheets for the agency Medical Resource Partners during her sick leave, despite knowing it was against regulations.
In a shocking twist, Eden publicly lashed out at a colleague on social media, labeling her a “green eyed monster,” which the panel found to be an attempt to intimidate. The Facebook post, made in February last year, included multiple offensive statements aimed at the colleague, indicating a troubling pattern of misconduct.
The panel concluded that Eden’s actions constituted a serious breach of nursing standards and said, “Her conduct was a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse.” They highlighted that her fraudulent activities could have jeopardized patient care by diverting essential NHS resources.
Authorities confirm that Eden has 28 days to appeal the decision, which reflects the serious nature of her misconduct. Amanda Dunkely, assistant director of people services at NEAS, stated, “Fraud against the NHS is a serious issue. We encourage staff and the public to report any suspicions of fraud to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority.”
This case has raised alarms about the integrity of healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the NHS. As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant, with calls for stricter measures to prevent such misconduct from occurring in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
