A nurse who fraudulently claimed nearly £20,000 by adding unworked shifts to her schedule has been permanently removed from the nursing register. Faith Chareka, employed as an emergency department nurse at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey, was convicted of fraud by abuse of position after falsifying 50 shifts between November 1, 2020, and February 1, 2023, according to a Nursing and Midwifery Council fitness to practise committee report.
While some shifts attracted standard pay, most were at enhanced rates for night duties, bank holidays, and weekend work. Chareka unlawfully obtained £19,575.41 and 540 hours of time off in lieu for work she never performed, the report stated.
Court and disciplinary proceedings
During sentencing, the judge noted that Chareka engaged in repeated and premeditated dishonesty over two years. She pleaded guilty in 2024 and received an 18-month suspended sentence, along with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work. The trust terminated her employment in 2023 after an internal investigation.
Rosie Welsh, case presenter for the NMC, said the misconduct was committed against a publicly funded NHS body already under financial pressure. She added that Chareka placed patients at potential risk by exposing the emergency department to understaffing, delays, reduced support for colleagues, and wider strain on the service.
Alexandra Monaghan, acting for Chareka, argued that she had shown genuine remorse and insight, offering repeated heartfelt apologies and reflecting on her behaviour. However, the panel concluded that her conduct could have directly impacted human resources and the trust's finances.
Decision and interim suspension
The panel decided that only a striking-off order could maintain public confidence in the profession and mark the seriousness of the misconduct. An interim suspension order of 18 months was imposed to cover any appeal proceedings, as the striking-off order cannot take effect until the 28-day appeal period expires.
