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Counter Fraud

What we are doing to stop fraud?

NHS Wiltshire takes fraud very seriously: fraud in the NHS is unacceptable.

The NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS), now a part of the NHS Business Service Authority (BSA), exists to fight NHS fraud.

The counter fraud strategy employed by CFSMS intends:

  • To reduce fraud to an absolute minimum within a set timescale
  • To put in place arrangements to hold fraud at a minimum level permanently
  • To target more NHS resources at providing better patient care.

The strategy employs seven specific objectives:

  • The creation of an anti-fraud culture
  • Maximum deterrence of fraud
  • Successful prevention of fraud
  • Prompt detection of fraud
  • Professional investigation of detected fraud
  • Effective sanctions, including appropriate legal action against fraudsters
  • Effective methods for seeking redress in respect of fraud.

The Trust has their own Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS) who works to these objectives. The LCFS is available to deliver counter fraud presentations to all staff groups and welcomes contact from those who would like such presentations and/or counter fraud advice.

The Trust has implemented a counter fraud policy which outlines the responsibilities of staff working for NHS Wiltshire. This provides a framework of how the Trust will respond to allegations of fraud, and also advice for staff in how to respond where fraud is suspected.

Other relevant Trust policies include those related to ‘whistleblowing’ and staff disciplinary procedures.

NHS resources must be used for better systems and services to deliver improved patient care. It is vital that these valuable resources are not lost to fraud.

We all have a responsibility to act against fraud – not acting against fraud can undermine the reputation, integrity and professionalism of the NHS, and perceptions about the quality of the services it provides leading to a loss in public confidence.

While the overwhelming majority of patients and professionals would not commit fraud, a small minority of patients and health service staff are doing just that. Every time they commit fraud patient care suffers.

The law-abiding public have the right to expect the NHS to safeguard public funds and to crack down on those committing fraud.

Fraud in the health service takes many forms. Often it is relatively low value and opportunistic. Sometimes it is high value and committed by skilled criminals. When fraud is committed against the NHS, we are all victims. Money provided by taxpayers is defrauded, and we are denied the proper level of service that we are entitled to expect.

Success in combating fraud depends on the co-operation and involvement of all patients and all staff within the NHS.

Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS)

To discuss any concerns or to report a suspicion regarding NHS fraud please contact your LCFS, Keren Lovell on 07971 580 820

Alternatively, you can call the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60

You can also contact the Trust whistleblower, John Holden, Non-executive Director on 01225 862 101

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