NHS boss jailed for lying on CV
A 44-YEAR-OLD who lied about his qualifications to land one of the top NHS jobs in Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed.
Lee Whitehead had been appointed director of planning and modernisation at Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust (PCT) after falsely claiming he had a doctorate and Master's degree.
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But Whitehead left his £78,000-a-year job in disgrace just six months later after his lies came to light and the police were called in.
Now Whitehead is starting a 12-week prison sentence after pleading guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception and making a false instrument.
Whitehead had applied for the job in November 2006, claiming he had a first class science degree, a post-graduate science degree, a PhD in psychology, and that he was a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
But the father-of-two really only had a second class science degree.
Paul Kay, prosecuting for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: "The post-holder was not required to hold either a Master's or a PhD, or be a member of the BPS.
"But clearly these assisted him in getting the job."
North Staffordshire Magistrates heard a PCT worker first raised suspicions over Whitehead's qualifications in April 2007, after he used the title "Dr" in his voluntary role with mental health charity 2Care.
Whitehead told the PCT he had studied at the University of London and King's College, but the institutions had no record of him being awarded a Master's or PhD, and the BPS had no record of his membership.
And when he was asked for proof of his qualifications by PCT chief executive Graham Urwin, a by-now desperate Whitehead showed him a poorly fabricated and undated PhD certificate, along with his genuine degree document.
Whitehead, from Buckinghamshire, had earned £46,578 by the time he resigned from the PCT on August 7, 2007. A disciplinary hearing later found him guilty of gross misconduct.
The court heard Whitehead had told the same lies to get his previous job with another PCT.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said his client had 20 years' experience with the NHS. He said: "He was working there for six months, and it seemed they were pleased with his work."
Mr Cliff added that Whitehead was not thinking properly when he produced the fake certificate, as his long-term partner, who died last year, had been diagnosed with leukaemia.
The PCT has tightened its pre-employment checks since the Whitehead affair.
A spokesman for NHS Stoke-on-Trent (formerly Stoke-on-Trent PCT) said: "We weren't the first organisation Mr Whitehead made his irresponsible claims to.
"People can be assured that we have strict checks in place to ensure that all our staff are qualified to do their jobs."
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by Matt, 1984
Friday, January 09 2009, 11:31AM
“I lied on my cv once. Said I was a brain surgeon.”
by James, Penkhull
Friday, January 09 2009, 10:40AM
“Waste of taxpayers. Didn't the PCT do full reference checks before giving him the job? It's not hard to confirm things like qualifications and memberships of professional organisations. Data protection is probably the only obstacle but you are only looking for confirmation then even this shouldn't be a problem.”
by Chris Cooper, newcastle under lyme
Friday, January 09 2009, 10:33AM
“If you are imprisoning people like this over misclaimed occupational qualifications, when oh when are you going too look at the sheer ineptitude of the people running the PCTs ie the unqualified supposed intelligent Political appointees, the quango that the PCT is and represents should be wrested from some of the free loading band wagon Politicians in Stoke and Newcastle PCT, the appointment of some numpty with false qualifications only highlights the inadequacy of the reason they function and peppering a few knowledgable old Pros from the comfort of the NHS does nothing too endear the understanding that these organisations are nought but innefficient Income generating Quangos.”
by kassie, stoke
Friday, January 09 2009, 10:01AM
“To give him a prison sentence for such a paltry crime is pathetic. He had just lost his partner and wasn't thinking straight - give him a break. You can go out and kill someone drink driving and just get a suspended sentence, there's no comparison. The sentence should fit the crime and this one clearly doesn't!!!!”
by ROCKY, Stoke
Thursday, January 08 2009, 9:39PM
“Punishment should reflect the crime - This guy clearly did his job well and not only improved the health service in Stoke, but all over the country. He is the father of 2 and probably did what he did to earn money for his family, coupled with this the poor guy just lost his long term partner. Crackin' point Gem, don't worry about the Surgeons job, You should work for the Samaritans.”
by Emma lee-bradbury, Stoke
Thursday, January 08 2009, 4:45PM
“I work for the pct, we have rigorous checks before we are allowed on a ward, and get a fraction of the pay. It was irrisponsible of the trust. However no direct harm was caused so I find a prison sentence harsh.”
by rubyred, stoke
Thursday, January 08 2009, 3:14PM
“Harsh punishment indeed..Ok he lied and this can be viewed as fraud and deception...but a prison sentence? This should of been handled by the Trust and as a disciplinary internal only..but because the police, NHS fraud and CPS were involved 1000's of tax payers money were spent..and are continuing to be spent as he is in prison!!!!! The NHS is to blame anyway....shud not of been appointed or formally offered the job withot checks to employment........the PCT should pay all costs involved!!!”
by Darren, Stone
Thursday, January 08 2009, 9:49AM
“Gem
To clarify - I'm not saying that what he did was right, I'm also not saying that he shouldn't be punished. What I am saying is that compared to other sentences reported recently he seems to have been punished harshly.
There is a world of difference between fabricating qualifications that are necessary to perform a job (as in your example of a surgeon), and this case where the qualifications made up were not necessary in the performance of the role.
Hope that clears it up for you. Have a nice day.”
by chris, Newstead
Thursday, January 08 2009, 12:34AM
“Ok! He didnt tell the truth but he wont be the first person holding a responsible job in this City who tells lies.
Was he really at fault or should the ones carring out the interview and offering the job do better checks first.”
by gem, n/c
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 5:09PM
“darren,stone. your so right! not! if someone can lie to get a top job then maybe i could lie and become a surgeon? maybe its a bit harsh to be imprisoned but its a pretty serious job to lie about!”