A senior NHS radiographer has been struck off and given a suspended prison sentence after admitting to a sophisticated expenses fraud that saw him pocket nearly £7,000 from the health service.
Andrew Baird, 38, exploited the NHS trust's expenses system by submitting falsified claims for professional development courses he never attended. The deception unfolded over an 18-month period while Baird worked as a superintendent radiographer at University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock.
The Compulsive Collection That Drove the Deception
Court proceedings revealed that Baird's fraudulent activities were primarily motivated by his expensive addiction to collecting board games. The radiographer had accumulated significant personal debts funding his collecting habit, which features rare and valuable games.
Baird submitted multiple fraudulent claims between August 2020 and February 2022, inventing training courses and fabricating documentation to support his applications for reimbursement.
A Career in Tatters
Despite earning a substantial salary of approximately £48,000 annually, Baird succumbed to temptation and systematically defrauded the NHS. His actions have now cost him his career and reputation.
At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, Baird received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service. The court also imposed a Supervision Requirement for the same duration.
Regulatory Fallout
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has since removed Baird from their register, effectively ending his career as a radiographer. In their ruling, the HCPC stated that Baird's actions constituted "a significant breach of trust" and that his behaviour was "fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the register."
An NHS spokesperson confirmed that appropriate action was taken as soon as the irregularities were discovered, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining public trust and the highest standards of integrity among staff.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences facing healthcare professionals who abuse their positions of trust within the NHS system.
