AN internal investigation is under way at an NHS trust after a nurse defrauded hospitals out of £30,000 by faking sick notes and references.

Sarah Oakes, who worked at Warrington and Whiston Hospitals, also enjoyed holidays in the Caribbean while off sick.

As reported last week, Liverpool Crown Court heard how Runcorn nurse Sarah Oakes falsified sick notes while working at Whiston Hospital and spent some of this time visiting Cuba.

The 44-year-old also gave a false reference to gain a job at Warrington Hospital, allowing her to earn wages she would not be entitled to had the truth been known.

The court heard that Oakes is still employed in the health service by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has been since 2021 - when she was fired from Warrington Hospital.

A spokesperson for Bridgewater, which manages community healthcare in Warrington and surrounding areas,m said: “Having been made aware of this situation, the trust is conducting its own internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this matter. Until this has concluded, it would be inappropriate and unfair for us to comment further.”

A spokesperson for Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Whiston Hospital, said: “We are aware of the recent court case and sentencing of Ms Oakes.

“Ms Oakes is no longer an employee of the Trust and immediate action was taken in 2019 when we became aware of the claims against her.’’

While a spokesperson for Warrington Hospital said 'tighter controls' were now in place to stop this sort of thing happening again.

They added: “We are aware of the recent court case and sentencing of Ms Oakes. Ms Oakes is no longer an employee of the trust and immediate action was taken in 2019 when we were made aware of the claims against her.

“Following the case, tighter controls regarding reference criteria have been implemented as part of the robust NHS employment checks already in place.”

The Nursing and Midwifery Council, which regulates nurses, was unable to say if it was investigating Oakes.

The mum-of four, including two under the age of five, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.

But she was allowed to walk free with a suspended sentence after the court heard of the ‘calamitous’ impact her incarceration would have on her children.