Outstanding payment created 'serious and avoidable risk' to doctor's health

A disabled doctor claims professional expenses incurred during his delivery of a healthcare course which have not been paid created a “serious and avoidable risk” to his health.

Dr David Jacob said the outstanding £595 relates to his claim for flight and related course expenses when he served Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust as external medical faculty on a professional GIC (Generic Instructor Course).

The 47-year-old, who also lives with chronic illness, said the delay in reimbursement meant he could not fund adequate food, or accommodation and ran out of prescribed medication for three days while travelling.

Dr Jacob, who is based in South Yorkshire but divides his time between the UK and Egypt, said: “I delivered the Rotherham GIC as faculty on July 16 and 17 2026.

“I submitted the expenses claim at the completion of the course on July 17 2026.

“It has been outstanding now for more than five weeks.

“A £595 reimbursement may look like an administrative footnote - for me, the consequences went far beyond the amount.

“My telephone line was suspended for non-payment, I incurred a storage late charge, for three days while travelling I could not fund adequate food, accommodation or essential travel expenses, and I ran out of prescribed medication.

“Given my disability and chronic illness, I believe that interruption created a serious and avoidable risk to my health.

“I travelled from Egypt specifically to deliver the course, and the flight reimbursement had been discussed and approved by the trust in advance.

“On August 5 the trust acknowledged the flight reimbursement was due and requested the official flight document - I supplied it that day.

“I have also told the trust it previously paid me on at least two occasions using the same or materially identical identity and payment details.

“The £595 nevertheless remains unpaid.”

A spokesperson for Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said: "While we cannot comment on the specifics of individual cases, we can confirm Dr Jacob provided training at the trust on a two-day course that took place on July 16 and 17 2026.

“A subsequent claim for expenses has been received and is currently being assessed.

"As a publicly funded organisation, we have a responsibility to ensure that all expenditure is appropriately scrutinised and represents good use of public funds.

“Where clarification is required regarding any expense claim, we are obliged to undertake appropriate due diligence before authorising payment."