News Article
27 August 2009
A senior NHS executive who was sacked and jailed for four counts of forgery, after being investigated by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS), was excluded from the register of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) yesterday.
Philip Neal was Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive of the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust when he forged official Valuation Office Agency reports concerning the sale of trust properties, which were issued to the Trust’s external auditors for its 2005/06 annual accounts.
His crimes came to light after the Trust’s chairman alerted NHS CFS to suspicions. After a complex investigation Neal was charged with offences including deception, theft and forgery. Shortly before his trial, which was due to start at Chelmsford Crown Court in February 2008, he pleaded guilty to forgery. Other offences were left on file.
Mr Neal has a right of appeal against the ACCAs decision.
Investigating officer Alan McGill, of NHS CFS, said today:
“It was a challenging investigation relating to a number of properties and land sold by the Trust. The full co-operation of the Trust’s former CEO and Chairman was a great help in securing Neal’s conviction and drove home the message that the NHS will not tolerate dishonesty at any level.
“We work closely with professional bodies to raise awareness of how, in applying their own sanctions, bodies such as the ACCA make an important contribution to deterring others who might abuse the public health system. Some fraudsters are more afraid of losing their livelihood than a spell behind bars”.
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS CFS press office on 020 7895 4524/ 4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CFS can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and Department of Health 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.
3.The NHS Counter Fraud Service has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. In 2007-08 NHS CFS saved the NHS £7,565,014
4. In 2007-08 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
5. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.