Nurse shaved head daily to fake terminal cancer and claim £185k pension

A children’s nurse shaved her head daily to pretend she had terminal leukaemia and claim £185,422.95 in pension payments.

Amanda Reid persuaded her family, children and doctors she was "at the point of death" despite knowing she was not, a Nursing and Midwifery Council tribunal. found.

She falsified 16 medical documents, featuring Spire Hospital Edinburgh branding, to convince her GP practice she was gravely ill.

To appear as if battling blood cancer, she used weight loss drugs and shaved her head daily.

The Scottish healthcare worker, who claimed to have Munchausen’s syndrome, also illegally obtained NHS controlled drugs over her three-year offending period.

She received a two-year prison sentence at Livingston Sheriff Court after falsely claiming to the Scottish Pensions Authority that she was terminally ill to access funds, the tribunal said.

In September 2025, she pleaded guilty to defrauding the Scottish Pensions Authority of £185,442.95 between 13 April 2021 and 31 August 2024.

Quoting the judge’s sentencing remarks, the panel noted part of the money paid for a holiday to Dubai. Mrs Reid maintained she suffered from Munchausen’s and was not seeking financial gain.

However, a pre-sentence social work report said that they were "unable to independently verify" the diagnosis.

According to NHS information, people with the condition feign illness or simulate symptoms in themselves.

Mrs Reid offered no submissions during the virtual Scottish proceedings. Removing her from the register, the panel, chaired by John Millar, found "no evidence of insight or remorse".

In its written judgment, it stated: "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."