A SURGEON'S assistant who went off sick from work with chest problems spent his leave driving ambulances for independent companies.

Dean Francois-Smith was granted full sick pay in August after being declared unfit to carry out the physical work needed for his job at Sandwell General Hospital, a court heard yesterday.

But the 42-year-old of Orchard Lane, Bewdley, was spotted by CCTV cameras spending his sick leave transporting patients to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

He was charged with falsifying documents by the DHSS, who prosecute on behalf of the NHS.

Dawn Cartwright, prosecuting, said Francois-Smith, worked for Ambulance 4 Service and his own company, Critical Care Ambulance Service, on numerous occasions during his time off.

"He had worked for Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust as a senior operating assistant since 1995.

"But on August 21 he went off on continuous sick leave for which he was granted full pay," she said.

"He had a sick note for reccurring chest problems, rendering him unable to carry out any physical work."

Kidderminster magistrates heard that Francois-Smith then set up Critical Care Ambulance Service on October 18.

"Inquiries were made to University Hospital and Warwickshire Ambulance Service," added Mrs Cartwright.

"There were two ambulances registered to CCAS in the names of Dean Francois-Smith and Noel Philpott."

"Two journeys were taken from Queen Elizabeth Hospital's CCTV footage and the defendant appeared in both sets of pictures."

The director of Ambulance 4 Service confirmed Francois-Smith had also worked for the company in the past.

"He initially denied working for the companies but eventually admitted working for Ambulance 4 Service on 16 occasions and Critical Care four or five times," said Mrs Cartwright.

"He said he knew he shouldn't have."

Andrew Wakeman, defending, asked magistrates to bear in mind his client had no previous convictions.

Magistrates sentenced Francois-Smith to 80 hours of community punishment and he was ordered to pay £4,526.07 compensation to the NHS with £250 costs.

The community punishment will be carried out in Guildford, Surrey, where he is currently living.