A HOSPITAL worker has admitted defrauding the NHS of more than £2,500 by claiming sick pay while working at a second job.

Health care assistant Mary Derby, 46, had worked at Prestwich Hospital, near Bury, for 15 years and also did 12 hours a week for Lancashire County Council as a community support worker.

She worked for the council on 60 occasions from October 2005 to July 2006 - while picking up £2,515 in sick pay from the hospital.

Magistrates in Bolton were told that Derby was assaulted by a patient at the hospital in 2005 and went on sick leave with facial injuries, dental problems, stress and migraines.

But not only did she continue working for the council, she took on extra shifts and on four occasions went to work for the council on the same day as picking up a sick note.

Mark Brookes, prosecuting, said: "This defendant has held down two jobs simultaneously.

"Between the dates involved she got sick notes from her GP saying that she was not fit for work. These notes were provided only to the Trust. She continued to work for Lancashire County Council.

"The defendant actually took on extra hours with the council when she was off from the Trust."

Derby failed to tell the Trust of her second job, but a matron found out about it and she was suspended in January 2007.

Civil action

The court heard she had since resigned and the NHS had taken out a civil action to reclaim her wages.

Alan Wilson, defending, said: "Mrs Derby genuinely did not understand the proper process.

"She had always been employed in jobs regarding caring for people. It is particularly sad for her that she finds herself with her first conviction. She accepts her guilt but she genuinely misunderstood the regulations.

"She felt that she could do the second job, which consisted of lighter duties."

Mr Wilson said Derby - who pleaded guilty to eight charges of false accounting - believed she was dyslexic and didn't read any of the sick notes.

The court was told that she had `moderate learning difficulties' and was `financially illiterate'.

Mr Wilson added: "She is not somebody who has been living beyond her means during the course of this time."

The case was adjourned for the preparation of pre-sentence reports. Derby was bailed and will be sentenced next Monday.