A FORMER GP practice manager who stole more than £49,000 from an NHS surgery in Neath has been ordered to repay £25,000 following an investigation by NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) Wales.
Kimberley Wilson, 52, of Tabernacle Street, Skewen, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on 12 September, where she was ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation to Castle Surgery, Neath, at a rate of £200 a month over the next two years. This follows a payment of £20,000 she made on 21 July.
Wilson had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 21 May. On 7 August, she was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
The court heard that between April 2019 and March 2023, Wilson defrauded Castle Surgery of £49,213.08 while employed as practice manager. She was dismissed for gross misconduct after the fraud was uncovered.
Accountants for the practice raised concerns which led to an NHS CFS Wales investigation. Investigators discovered Wilson had been transferring money from the practice’s business account into her own, using references such as “petty cash” and “advance”, as well as purchasing personal items directly from the account. A production order under the Proceeds of Crime Act gave investigators access to her bank accounts, confirming the fraud.
The stolen funds were found to have been spent on everyday living costs and gambling.
Emily Thompson, Counter Fraud Specialist at NHS CFS Wales, said:
“Wilson abused her position of trust to steal money that was meant for NHS patient care. Her actions were motivated by greed and represent a serious breach of the trust placed in her by her employers and colleagues.
“This outcome sends a clear message that diverting funds from the NHS is unacceptable and will lead to serious consequences, including a criminal record.”
