Woman who lied to get nursing job jailed

A woman accused of lying about her experience and qualifications to get a job as a senior nurse in a unit for sick and premature babies has been jailed for five years.

Tanya Nasir, 45, from Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, was found guilty on nine counts of fraud and false representation.

She will serve at least two-and-a-half years in jail, after which she will be considered for parole.

Nasir, who became ward manager on the neonatal unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend in September 2019, showed no emotion as sentence was passed in Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

The mother-of-two claimed to be a highly qualified neonatal nurse and an Army combat medic, with a raft of qualifications - but this was all false.

Alarm bells sounded when the qualification date on her nursing registration did not match up with her application form.

It emerged that she had faked her reference for the post using an NHS email account of a nurse she had previously worked with in London.

She also lied about working with various charities, including Oxfam and the Red Cross.

During deliberations, Judge Richard Kember told Nasir that she was "not qualified or experienced for the role" and that "there was a risk for a catastrophic outcome for patients and staff".

But he said he accepted "there is no evidence that any patient suffered a lack of care".

He said she "dishonestly" presented an application form for the job at the hospital as accurate.

"In my view, this went far beyond an acceptable level of talking yourself up for an application or embellishing proper experience."

Nasir could be seen shaking her head as the judge made his remarks.

Emma Harris, prosecuting, told the court that Nasir made a "number of false representations" to both Hillingdon Hospital and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

She said Nasir's claims of nursing experience were "simply fabrications".

"The jury rejected the defendant’s evidence," she said.

Peter Hunter, representing Nasir, said "all she ever wanted to be was a nurse."

"She has to accept the findings but they cannot say that, for the years she was working as a nurse, she was not a) capable or b) compassionate."

He said that she was a qualified nurse, adding she had continuously held roles up to Band 7 "without any form of complaint made against her".

"She was promoted upon her effort and her merit. People who were above her encouraged her to apply," Mr Hunter added.

"She was not disciplined, no baby died, no baby suffered."

After the sentencing, Gayle Ramsay, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said Nasir went to "incredible lengths to manipulate her way into positions that demand integrity and honesty, yet showed none".

Nasir "deliberately deceived employers and colleagues throughout her career", the head of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has said.

"During the very short time that Ms Nasir was employed and present in her largely office-based role at Princess of Wales Hospital, her contact with babies and their families was extremely minimal," said Paul Mears.

"Following a thorough internal investigation, we can provide firm assurance to families who were with us at that time that no harm was caused due to Ms Nasir's employment on the neonatal unit."

In a victim impact statement read in court, Suzanne Hardacre, director of midwifery and nursing at Cwm Taf health board, said Nasir's appointment cost the board £94,941.10 in wages up until her resignation.

"This case has had a direct impact on the public perception of the integrity of the staff working within the unit."

In a statement the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said it was aware of sentencing and "will be taking the appropriate regulatory steps".

"Ms Nasir is currently subject to an interim suspension order. A nurse, midwife, or nursing associate can't practice while this is in place," it added.