Greater Manchester doctor accused of fiddling timesheets for cash

An agency doctor is being investigated for falsifying the hours he had worked on timesheets.

Dr Rajeev Reghunath, from the Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust, also allegedly forged a colleague's signature.

A medical misconduct hearing will be held next month.

"The tribunal will inquire into the allegation that, between January 2019 and February 2021, Dr Reghunath worked as a locum doctor at (the trust) and that, between April 8, 2019 and March 12, 2021, he submitted timesheets in respect of hours worked ... when he knew he had not worked those hours," documents said.

"It is also alleged that Dr Reghunath submitted timesheets on which he falsified the signature of Dr A and received payments to which he was not entitled.

"It is further alleged that Dr Reghunath's actions were dishonest."

Dr Reghunath, who qualified from the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University in India, is currently able to work in medicine but is the subject of several interim conditions, including a requirement to promptly tell the General Medical Council where he is employed.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing will be held virtually from February 19-27.

If the allegations against him are proven, he could be banned from working in medicine temporarily or permanently.

If his name is cleared, the interim conditions are likely to be removed.