Stacey Tipler, 32, used her job in the accounts department at London's Royal Marsden NHS Trust to alter payment details for drug firms to obtain money.

Tipler,  32, who worked at the NHS trust in Chelsea for 10 years, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

She spent the money on shopping sprees and mortgage payments.

At one stage a drugs firm threatened to stop supplying the hospital with vital medication for cancer patients after failing to receive payment because of the fraud.

Tipler's partner Scott Chaplin was jailed for five-and-a half years for his part as the ringleader.

Southwark Crown Court heard that some of the money has been recovered, but the Royal Marsden Hospital  still has a shortfall of £310,000 as it had to pay again for the medication when drugs firms did not receive initial payments.