A Nigerian woman residing in the United Kingdom has been convicted of fraud after unlawfully working in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals with forged identification, despite having no formal medical or clinical training. The case has raised serious concerns about patient safety and the integrity of recruitment processes within the UK’s public healthcare system.
The defendant, 30-year-old Oluwabunmu Adeleiyi, was living in Cardiff on a student visa at the time of the offences. Cardiff Crown Court heard that she worked as a healthcare support worker at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Caswell Clinic in Bridgend, roles that gave her access to vulnerable patients and sensitive hospital facilities.
Prosecutors told the court that Adeleiyi was part of a small fraud ring involving two accomplices. The trio shared counterfeit identification cards, which they used to obtain shifts through healthcare employment agencies. By presenting themselves as qualified healthcare workers, they were able to secure placements in NHS hospitals and fraudulently claim wages for work they were not legally or professionally qualified to perform.
According to evidence presented in court, the scheme generated significant financial losses for the NHS. Adeleiyi and her accomplices were said to have billed the health service approximately £16,000 every month, exploiting staffing shortages and gaps in agency vetting procedures.
Adeleiyi pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation. The court was told that she knowingly used fake identification to mislead employers into believing she was suitably trained and authorised to work in clinical environments.
Sentencing Adeleiyi, the judge imposed 10 months’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. However, the sentence was suspended for two years, meaning she will not serve immediate jail time provided she complies with the conditions set by the court. In addition, she was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service as part of her punishment.
The fraud was uncovered following a routine check by hospital staff at the end of one of Adeleiyi’s night shifts. Staff reportedly noticed irregularities on her identification card, prompting further scrutiny. This discovery triggered an internal investigation, which later expanded to involve law enforcement and NHS officials.
Further inquiries revealed that Adeleiyi had no formal training in key aspects of her assigned duties, including patient restraint and clinical safety procedures. Despite this, she had been allowed to perform tasks that required specialised knowledge and experience.
The court heard that Adeleiyi accessed confidential patient records and, on at least one occasion, locked restricted wards—actions that typically require proper authorisation and training. Health officials testified that such conduct posed a serious threat to patient safety, particularly in mental health settings such as the Caswell Clinic.
Prosecutors described the risks associated with her actions as potentially “catastrophic,” noting that untrained individuals in healthcare environments can inadvertently cause harm, compromise patient dignity, or interfere with critical medical care. The case highlighted the dangers of allowing unqualified personnel to work in sensitive roles within hospitals.
While no specific incidents of patient harm were attributed directly to Adeleiyi’s actions, the court was told that the absence of training and proper oversight significantly increased the risk of serious outcomes.
The case has renewed scrutiny of how employment agencies vet healthcare workers, particularly those placed in understaffed hospitals and clinics. NHS officials have acknowledged that staffing pressures can sometimes lead to reliance on agency workers, but stressed that patient safety must remain paramount.
Following the conviction, health authorities reiterated their commitment to strengthening identity checks and verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. They also urged agencies supplying staff to NHS facilities to adhere strictly to safeguarding and compliance requirements.
Adeleiyi’s conviction serves as a cautionary tale about the severe consequences of fraud in the healthcare sector, where trust, competence, and professionalism are essential. It also underscores the wider implications of such crimes, not only in financial terms but in the potential risks posed to vulnerable patients who rely on qualified professionals for their care.
