THE South West Hospital and Health Service has reassured the placement of “rigorous measures” to detect illegal behaviour in the aftermath of the Veronica Chung case.

Board Chair Lindsay Godfrey welcomed the outcome of court proceedings against Ms Chung, a former chief financial officer over 2014-15, and said instances of this nature were taken seriously.

Veronica Anne Chung was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of four months for instances of fraudulent conduct last week.

“I would like to assure the public the health service takes all matters relating to fraudulent, illegal or inappropriate behaviour very seriously,” Mr Godfrey said.

“We have very rigorous measures in place to detect anyone acting inappropriately, including during the recruitment process.

“Indeed, our various measures proved successful in bringing this matter to the attention of the health service, following which it was appropriately reported to police and progressed by them through the justice system.”

Recruitment officers are required to sight the officials of relevant academic qualifications and keep certified copies on file.

Officers followed this procedure during the Chung case.

“The south-west community can be confident that our health service will continue to demand the highest standards of behaviour from our staff and all with whom we have dealings,” Mr Godfrey said.

In sentencing her on Thursday, Magistrate Peter Hasted described her conduct as “calculated, cynical and deceitful”.