A former NHS resident doctor, Richard Akinrolabu, has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to defrauding the NHS of more than £268,000.
The 61-year-old’s conviction followed an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA). On November 4, 2025, Akinrolabu pled guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation.
Akinrolabu had been employed as a trust grade specialist registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in London, part of King’s College Hospitals (KCH) NHS Foundation Trust.
Trust grade specialist registrars are resident doctors, formerly referred to as junior doctors.
Investigators found that between October 2018 and December 2021, Akinrolabu worked on-call and night shifts at three additional trusts while claiming he was unfit to work these shifts at KCH due to sick leave or reduced duties. His deceit meant that the trust had to pay him full salary while also hiring locums to cover his shifts.
In November 2021, KCH received information that Akinrolabu had been working night shifts at Basildon Hospital. Further investigation revealed he had also worked at Princess Alexandra Hospital, East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, and Mid-South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, without permission from KCH.
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Timesheet and payroll records showed that most of the shifts Akinrolabu worked were night and on-call, directly contradicting his claims of being unfit to perform these duties. He was interviewed by the local counter fraud team in June 2022 but gave a “no comment” response. Subsequent NHSCFA investigation led to his charges.
Ben Harrison, Head of Operations at NHSCFA, said:
“This case demonstrates a clear and deliberate abuse of trust by an NHS professional who knowingly breached the conditions of his employment for personal gain. By working additional on-call and night shifts, despite being unfit to do so, Akinrolabu defrauded the NHS of substantial funds that should have supported patient care. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority will continue to ensure that those who seek to exploit the health service for their own benefit are identified and brought to justice.”
In court, Judge David Miller condemned Akinrolabu’s actions, stating: “You lied to occupational health, your colleagues and your employer. The public doesn’t expect doctors to lie for personal gain.”
