Countering fraud
Fraud is when someone lies or tricks another person to get money, property, or something valuable. It is a dishonest act. People commit fraud by hiding the truth or giving false information.
Why it matters
The NHS loses about £1.21 billion a year to fraud. That’s around £3.3 million every single day of taxpayer money that should help patients. This amount could pay for over 40,000 nurses or 5,000 ambulances. “Fraud” here means using bribery, corruption, or lies to get money or services illegally.
A company called AuditOne helps us fight fraud. They are a team of experts working to:
- Stop fraud before it happens
- Find suspicious activity
- Investigate and support criminal cases
AuditOne works with 23 NHS and health organisations in the North of England. They are a not-for-profit group.
Kathryn Wilson is our Lead Counter Fraud Specialist.
We follow rules and policies to stop fraud from happening, such as:
- Standards of Business Conduct Policy (for things like registering interests, gifts, sponsorship, hospitality)
- Counter Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy
We also use guidance from the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, which includes easy-to-use guides for different groups:
- NHS staff (like doctors, nurses, trainees, agency staff, contractors). Click this link to read the guide.
- NHS patients (anyone using NHS services). Click this link to read the guide.
- NHS suppliers (companies or individuals providing goods/services). Click this link to read the guide.
- Systems (such as financial systems). Click this link to read the guide.
- Third parties (anyone outside the NHS trying to take advantage). Click this link to read the guide.
There are also eight quick guides on preventing common fraud types, like splitting contracts, fake invoices, petty cash fraud, and credit card fraud:
- Click this link for a guide on contract splitting
- Click this link for a guide on contract reviews
- Click this link for a guide on buying goods and services
- Click this link for a guide on due diligence
- Click this link for a guide on suppliers’ code of practice
- Click this link for a guide on mandate fraud
- Click this link for a guide on petty cash fraud
- Click this link for a guide on credit card fraud
Each NHS organisation needs a Fraud Champion. They raise awareness and support the counter fraud team.
Our Fraud Champion is Shaun Wayman. He is also Head of Financial Services.
It’s good to know that champions don’t investigate fraud. Reports should be made directly to the specialist or the hotline.
