Following an investigation by the local counter fraud specialist, it was discovered that night shifts included on the timesheets had not been worked, although control systems prevented payments being made.

The nurse in question underwent an internal disciplinary hearing where she was dismissed for gross misconduct.

Finance director David Dumigan, said: "This may seem like quite a hard line approach. However, the trust will not be sympathetic to those who abuse its systems, defraud the taxpayer and aim to divert money away from patient care.