NHS nurse who faked leukaemia advised her children ‘I’m on the level of demise’ as she netted £185k
Amanda Reid convinced her family, children and professionals that she was ‘at the point of death’ despite knowing she was not, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee found
The ex-nurse also deceitfully obtained controlled drugs from the NHS (stock)(Image: PA)
A paediatric nurse has been struck off after fraudulently claiming £185,422.95 in pension payments by shaving her head daily to fake terminal leukaemia.
Amanda Reid duped her family, children and professionals into believing she was “at the point of death”, despite knowing full well she wasn’t, according to findings from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee.
A total of 16 medical letters were fabricated to convince her GP practice of her severe illness, which even included logos from Spire Hospital Edinburgh. To maintain the illusion that she was fighting blood cancer, she took weight loss medication and shaved her head on a daily basis.
She received a two-year prison sentence at Livingston Sheriff Court(Image: Google)
The former healthcare worker in Scotland, who claimed to have Munchausen’s syndrome, also deceitfully obtained controlled drugs from the NHS during her more than three-year period of offending.
She received a two-year prison sentence at Livingston Sheriff Court for falsely asserting to the Scottish Pensions Authority that she was terminally ill with leukaemia and therefore eligible for specific payments, the tribunal stated.
In September 2025, she pleaded guilty to defrauding the Scottish Pensions Authority of £185,442.95 between April 13, 2021, and August 31, 2024.
Some of the funds were used for a trip to Dubai, the panel added, citing the judge’s sentencing remarks. Mrs Reid has asserted that she has Munchausen’s and that she was not driven by financial gain.
However, a social worker stated they had been “unable to independently verify” the Munchausen’s diagnosis, in a report compiled ahead of the court sentencing.
People living with this psychological condition pretend to be ill or produce symptoms of illness in themselves, according to the NHS website.
Mrs Reid did not make any submissions to the proceedings in Scotland held online. Striking her off the NMC register, the panel, chaired by John Millar, found “no evidence of insight or remorse”.
In its written judgement, it said: “The panel considered that the dishonesty in this case was sustained, deliberate, premeditated, involving criminal fraud and financial gain. In addition, there was a pattern of dishonesty in relation to multiple health services, agencies and family members over a period of three years.”
It added: “The panel noted that although it had no evidence that Mrs Reid had put patients at risk of harm, Mrs Reid’s conviction provided clear evidence of repeated dishonest behaviour over a prolonged period of three years.
“The panel concluded that these behaviours raise significant concerns and indicate deep-seated attitudinal issues. The panel determined that this type of dishonest conduct, should it be repeated in a clinical setting, could be liable to put patients at risk of harm in the future.”
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