News Article
23 April 2009
Philip Andrew Hunt, former practice manager of a GP surgery in Carmarthenshire, was sentenced today to two years imprisonment for defrauding the NHS to obtain a powerful painkilling drug - following an investigation supported by NHS Counter Fraud (Swansea Crown Court, 23 April 2009).
Earlier he pleaded guilty to 11 charges of Using a False Instrument and 5 charges of Possession with Intent to Supply Dihydrocodeine (a Class B drug) contrary to S.4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs act 1971. All charges against his wife Myfanwy Hunt were withdrawn.
Hunt worked as a practice manager at Derwendeg Medical Centre in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire. Judge Gerald Price QC expressed concern that Hunt had been “reckless” with his wife’s wellbeing when he obtained the drugs for her use. He said this, plus the abuse of a position of trust, and the misuse of a Class B drug, were reflected in the sentence.
Hunt used both his wife’s and her father’s names to obtain the drugs from Derwendeg Medical Centre. He duped the GP into signing the forged documents before presenting them to local pharmacies. The offences took place over 12 months and the drugs were worth hundreds of pounds.
Graham Dainty of NHS Counter Fraud, who is the Operational Fraud Manager for Wales, said today:
“We are delighted with the outcome to the investigation, conducted by the Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) for Mid and West Wales with our support. It sends a strong signal to anybody who thinks they can misuse NHS drugs and get away with it.
“It also demonstrates that the network of LCFSs in Wales, working closely with NHS Counter Fraud at the national level, is working effectively to stamp out fraud. We are pleased that Camarthenshire Local Health Board contacted their LCFS with their original concerns, and urge other health bodies to do the same if they suspect fraud.”
For more information contact James Robertson at the NHS CF press office on 020 7895 4524/ 4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CF can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. NHS Counter Fraud (NHS CF) - a division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and DH whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
2. Around 319 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales. They are supported nationally and regionally by NHS CF. NHS CF investigations produced potential savings to the NHS of £7,565,014 during 2007-08.
3. In 2007-08 the NHS CF successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
4. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.