A GYNAECOLOGIST who defrauded NHS Wales by working while on sick leave from Cardiff and Vale Health board has been ordered to pay back £75,620 at Cardiff Crown Court.

Anthony Madu, 47, of Woolwich, London, must pay the money within six months and failure to do so will result in two years’ imprisonment. He was found guilty in December 2014 of six counts of fraud and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and 150 hours community service.

Madu worked in a number of hospitals while on paid suspension and sick leave from Cardiff and Vale Health Board, which employed him between August 2009 and June 2010.

By October 2009 he had been suspended due to concerns over his professional conduct and integrity. In March 2010, Dr Madu informed the Health Board that he was receiving counselling and medical help, and was not able to work, supplying a medical certificate covering January 23 to June 2, 2010.

The Health Board terminated Madu’s employment on June 10, 2010. It was later discovered that Dr Madu had been working as a locum at Scarborough District Hospital, Yorkshire while on sick leave. Investigators established that Dr Madu had also worked at Sandwell General Hospital, West Midlands and The Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester, throughout this sick period. He was arrested in November 2011.

Dr Madu earned an extra £69,000 at these other hospitals in addition to his Cardiff and Vale University Health Board salary. This secondary employment was never declared to his employer, as was legally required.

Cheryl Hill, Counter Fraud Specialist, NHS Counter Fraud Service (Wales) said: “This is a very satisfactory outcome for taxpayers. Dr Anthony Madu defrauded the NHS of money which should have been spent on patient care. His dishonest actions should not reflect upon the good work undertaken by the vast majority of NHS employees."

David Rees, Deputy Manager, NHS Counter Fraud Service (Wales) added: “Working closely with NHS Protect, the NHS Counter Fraud Service (Wales) plays a vital role in the fight against economic crime in the NHS. We investigate Fraud and conduct Financial Investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) and this allows us to recover monies that have been defrauded from NHS Wales”.