Counter Fraud

Counter Fraud Website

Fraud in the NHS is unacceptable. The Government is determined to stamp it out. These webpages explain the approach taken by the NHS in countering fraud and corruption.

The overwhelming majority of patients and professionals would not dream of stealing from the NHS. But a small minority of patients and health service staff are doing just that. Every time they commit fraud patient care suffers. Those who are exploiting the system are not only cheating taxpayers, they are depriving patients of the care they need.

Fraud in the health service takes many forms. Often it is low value and opportunistic. Sometimes it is high value and committed by skilled criminals. But in total it costs the health service a small fortune.

Combating fraud in the NHS is a professional job. It requires a well thought through approach. It must be based on sound information. The presumption should be about preventing fraud by designing systems to stop it happening in the first place. But where it occurs there should be an equal presumption that its perpetrators will face tough action.

NHS Protect

NHS Protect, which was launched in April 2011, builds upon the sucess of the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS). NHS Protect is an independent Division of the NHS Business Services Authority and has national responsibility to lead work on protecting NHS staff and resources from crime.

NHS Protect tackles crimes against the NHS that would otherwise undermine the effectiveness and ability of the health service to meet the needs of patients and professionals. It has the responsibility for tackling fraud, bribery, violence, corruption, criminal damage, theft and other unlawful action such as market-fixing.

NHS Protect coordinate and regulate the existing investment made by health bodies to tackle crime, as well as dealing with those complex and cross-boundary cases that can not be dealt with locally.

The Trust's LCFSs work closely with staff from NHS Protect in tackling fraud.

For more information about NHS Protect, please click here.