A woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for lying on her application to secure a top nursing position caring for sick babies at an NHS hospital in Wales. Tanya Nasir, 45, fabricated qualifications and experience, including falsely claiming to have served in the British Army and been shot, when she had actually only volunteered with the cadets. She fraudulently obtained the position of a band seven ward manager at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, where she worked in a unit for premature babies.
Nasir was found guilty of nine charges, including fraud and securing access to unauthorized computer material, following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The court heard that Nasir’s deception began in 2010 when she failed to disclose a conviction while studying at a university. She went on to fabricate qualifications and work experience at various hospitals, receiving over £200,000 in wages.
During the sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Judge Richard Kember emphasized the serious nature of Nasir’s offenses, which were consistent over a long period of time. Nasir’s fraudulent activities were uncovered when discrepancies were discovered in her application and references, leading to her suspension from her position in February 2020.
Further investigations revealed that Nasir had provided false information on her applications to multiple hospitals, claiming to have qualifications and experience that she did not possess. She had also misrepresented her military service, falsely claiming to have been shot while deployed overseas. Nasir’s actions were described as potentially catastrophic by Suzanne Hardacre, director of midwifery and nursing at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.
In addition to her prison sentence, Nasir was convicted of charges including using a false instrument with intent and securing unauthorized access to computer material with intent. She will serve half of her five-year sentence in custody and the remainder on licence. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in healthcare professions, where trust and accuracy are paramount for the well-being of patients.
This incident highlights the significant consequences of dishonesty and fraud in the healthcare sector, impacting not only the individual involved but also potentially putting vulnerable patients at risk. The sentences handed down reflect the seriousness of the offences committed by Nasir and serve as a deterrent to others who may consider falsifying qualifications and experience in any professional capacity.