Fraud in the NHS costs millions of pounds every year, and deprives patients of much needed funds. Fraud against the NHS can be committed by doctors, nurses, administration staff, managers, health care professionals, dentists, opticians, pharmacists, patients, directors, GPs and even chief executives.
The type of frauds that are committed include;
- Time recording (overtime, flexitime, enhanced hours etc)
- Qualifications/professional registrations
- Sickness
- Expenses
- Charge exemptions
- Ordering/invoices
- Contractor claims.
-
Additional information
-
-
Who to contact
Fraud is taken seriously by the North East Strategic Health Authority (SHA), and those found to be committing it could find themselves being disciplined by the SHA, prosecuted for a criminal offence and having civil action taken against them to recover the money. The SHA may also report the actions to the relevant professional body.
If you have any suspicions of fraud, or would like further information on fraud in the NHS, please contact:
Patrick Canner
Northumbria Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Service Unit
7/8 Silver Fox Way
Cobalt Business Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE27 0GJ
Telephone number: 0191 203 1406
Mobile number: 07990 587246
There is a national NHS fraud and corruption reporting line: 0800 028 40 60.
-
National fraud initiative fair processing
more info
Local counter fraud newsletters and alerts
Cases investigated by NHS CFSMS
Fraud in the NHS can come in many different guises. Whether it be a patient or a NHS chief executive, the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) takes every case, no matter how big or small, very seriously. Allegations of fraud are always investigated thoroughly and professionally, and where fraud is proved, the NHS CFS will always press for the toughest possible sanctions.
Over the last six years the NHS CFS has investigated over 1900 cases of suspected fraud resulting in 216 criminal prosecutions and 275 civil or disciplinary sanctions. With a 97% successful prosecution rate, better than any other protection agency in the UK including the police and the serious fraud office, the NHS CFS have made great strides in securing the appropriate action against those who defraud the NHS.
This section illustrates the different types of fraud perpetrated against the NHS and the subsequent action taken by the NHS CFS. We hope that by taking tough action we will deter potential fraudsters from carrying out such crimes.
Further cases can be viewed on the CFMS website.
