Nurse who falsified sick notes went on Cuba trips

A nurse who claimed she was too ill to work used false sick notes while travelling to meet her boyfriend in Cuba.

In 2019, Sarah Oakes told managers at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside she was in pain and required surgery. She produced documents from a non-existent "Dr Blake".

Oakes, who posted about her travels on Facebook, earlier this year admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and was given a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has subsequently suspended Oakes, from Runcorn, for 12 months, preventing her from working in healthcare.

Sarah Oakes worked at Whiston Hospital on Merseyside

Oakes twice travelled to Cuba. The first time was to meet her boyfriend, the second to marry him.

Later in 2019, Oakes used a false reference to secure a job at Warrington Hospital.

Until her dismissal in 2021, the mother-of-four was said to have taken long periods of sickness and did not work consistent hours.

In total, it emerged Oakes had defrauded hospitals out of about £30,000.

The NMC launched its own investigation following her criminal convictions in May at Liverpool Crown Court, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Following a private hearing on 2 and 3 October, the NMC said a three-member panel had found Oakes' fitness to practise as a nurse was impaired.

Its suspension order means Oakes will not be able to work in healthcare for 12 months.