NHS Fraud – how to look out for it

Fraud and corruption within the NHS is unacceptable and diverts valuable resources away from patient care.

Measures to counter NHS fraud were established in 1998 and in 2003 the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) was established.

Local Counter Fraud Specialists (LCFS) are established in all NHS Trusts to assist in reducing fraud and corruption to the absolute minimum and they can only do this with your help. If you are aware of potential fraud or corruption against the NHS, even if this is just a suspicion or a single piece of information, please pass it on.

Fraud comes in many different forms. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) has produced a reference guide which provides loads of different examples of how the NHS can be affected by fraud – you can find the full guide here. At the latest estimate, it is believed that the NHS loses over £1.2 billion a year to fraud. NHS fraud diverts public funds away from the services that we all pay for, and into the pockets of dishonest people.

Reporting NHS fraud

If you have concerns about fraud you can report it through the following channels:

• By contacting the NHS Counter Fraud Authority reporting line on 0800 028 4060
• By completing an online report: https://reportfraud.cfa.nhs.uk/ 

All reports will be dealt with confidentially. If you would prefer to make an anonymous report via the NHS Counter Fraud Authority hotline or web form, please provide as much detail as possible as the local team will not be able to get back in touch with you to ask for any further information or clarification about your concerns.

to Read more on NHS Fraud, click here.