A general practice manager who defrauded the NHS of tens of thousands of pounds by falsifying patient records was jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Vinod Thapar also risked the welfare of patients who used the Silver Street medical centre in Edmonton, north London, said Scotland Yard.

Police said Thapar, 62, regularly asked staff to falsify patients' medical records to show that women had received smear tests. The practice received extra money from the local primary care trust by claiming an exaggerated number of screenings.

Police said changing the dates of smear tests meant screenings that may have detected cancer would have been delayed.

Detective Constable Grahame MacFarlane said: "Vinod Thapar's actions not only resulted in public finances being fraudulently obtained but they were also reckless with the health of the women whose records were falsified."

In October, Thapar, of Cockfosters, north London, pleaded guilty at Southwark crown court to four specimen charges of obtaining property by deception, costing the NHS £37,500. Police said it was impossible to estimate the total figure defrauded from the NHS.

Thapar was also ordered to pay £37,500 compensation to Enfield and Haringey Primary Care trust and £40,000 costs.