News Article
01 June 2010
Press release
What does NHS fraud look like?
Fraud Awareness Month June 2010
For immediate release – 1st June 2010
It is easy for the public and NHS workers to report suspected fraud against the NHS. But too many potential allies in the fight against fraud are still unsure whether to report their suspicions, because they are not certain what counts as fraud.
That is why Fraud Awareness Month (FAM) in June 2010 aims to help answer the basic question: what does NHS fraud look like?
Some examples of NHS frauds, committed by the dishonest minority, include:
by health professionals
Fraud by NHS professionals includes claiming for treatment or services not provided (e.g. Medicines Use Reviews at pharmacies, dental treatment or optical services not carried out) and working elsewhere while on sick leave.
by managers and staff
Fraud by NHS managers and staff includes submitting fraudulent claims for grants and payments (e.g. false or inflated travel or subsistence claims, and fraudulent applications for funding and training).
by contractors and suppliers
Contractor and supplier fraud includes charging for items of a higher quality or greater quantity than those supplied, and using inappropriate tendering processes.
by patients
Patient fraud includes claiming for free or reduced cost treatment and services when not entitled, and using aliases to get prescription drugs.
The answer can be found online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgaCGoM6_o
Or for an interactive presentation on how NHS fraud is being tackled, go to: http://www.nhscounterfraud.nhs.uk/flash.html
Dermid McCausland, Managing Director of the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS), which coordinates FAM, says:
“As a rule of thumb, if somebody does something dishonest to gain a financial advantage, that is probably fraud. Generally, the term ‘fraud’ describes offences such as deception, forgery, and misrepresentation or concealment of facts. Fraudsters can be quite imaginative, and the size and diversity of the health service means a wide variety of types of fraud are detected."
McCausland continues: “Investigating fraud is a specialist job, but you don’t have to be a fraud expert to pick up the phone and call our free, confidential NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line 0800 028 40 60. The NHS Counter Fraud Service wants to hear from you if you have any suspicions of fraud. If in doubt – make the call.”
From June there will be a new facility to report suspicions of NHS fraud online at www.reportnhsfraud.nhs.uk. Alternatively, those working with the NHS can raise any concerns with the NHS Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) for their Trust.
Defrauding money from the NHS deprives hospitals and patients of valuable equipment, staff and resources and costs the taxpayer more money to fund the NHS.
-ENDS-
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 at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. The 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 300 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales.
3. The NHS CFS has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. The potential NHS savings from completed NHS CFS investigations for 2008-09 is £9,946,030.
4. In 2008-09 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 69 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.