A former children’s nurse has been permanently removed from the nursing register after falsely claiming more than £185,000 in pension payments by fabricating a terminal illness. Amanda Reid, 47, from Bathgate, West Lothian, deceived family members, colleagues, and medical professionals into believing she was suffering from terminal leukaemia, according to a decision by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The NMC committee found that Reid went to considerable lengths to support her false claims, including shaving her head daily, forging 16 medical letters to convince her general practitioner practice, and taking medication intended for weight loss. She also obtained controlled drugs fraudulently from the National Health Service during the three years she perpetrated the scheme.

Reid’s actions led to criminal proceedings, resulting in a two-year prison sentence handed down at Livingston Sheriff Court in October 2025 for making false pension claims. During the NMC’s disciplinary hearing, Reid chose not to submit any evidence or defence.

The panel noted a complete lack of insight or remorse on Reid’s part, describing the dishonesty as “sustained, deliberate, premeditated” and motivated by financial gain. Based on these findings, the NMC concluded that striking her off was necessary to protect the public and uphold professional standards.