A YORK nurse has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds after forging his boss’s signature to claim payments for shifts despite not being at work.

Michael Haden, of The Tannery, Lawrence Street, York, was incorrectly paid more than £5,000 by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust for periods when he was actually on holiday, off sick and on compassionate leave.

The 34-year-old’s frauds were only discovered after he had left the organisation, which employed him as a nurse practitioner in Hull Royal Infirmary’s accident and emergency department, with most of the false claims relating to overtime.

He admitted a charge of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court and was given a 24-month conditional discharge.

Haden was also told to pay back £5,624.32 and pay £500 costs.

The health trust said it was investigating the fraud before deciding whether to report Haden to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The court hears how Haden submitted “several” claims for payments when he was not at work and forged his manager’s signature on four occasions.

Trust chief executive Phil Morley said: “The trust can confirm that this individual no longer works for our organisation. However, we are investigating this incident in order that we can understand exactly what and how this happened.

“Once this investigation is complete we will decide whether or not to advise their professional body. Until such time we are unable to make any further comment.”

Haden’s former colleagues at the trust were informed of a nurse being convicted of fraud in this month’s staff newsletter, although he was not identified.

It said: “A nurse from the trust pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud by false representation, section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006, when they appeared before Hull Magistrates’ Court.

“The nurse submitted several claim forms claiming they had worked for the trust on various days when on annual leave, sick leave or compassionate leave.

“The nurse also falsified their manager’s signature on four of the claim forms in order to receive payment for the shifts not done.”