PCT says fraud will not be tolerated in Herefordshire

If you are planning to defraud the NHS this month - think again. Herefordshire Primary Care Trust is urging its staff to be especially vigilant in October as the Fraud Awareness Month programme seeks to stamp out illegal drains on resources that should be used to care for patients.

The primary care trust has lead responsibility for the health economy in Herefordshire and is reinforcing its anti-fraud culture by educating employees and patients about the damage fraud can do and how to stop it.

Patient fraud ranges from wrongful claims of exemption from fees to altering prescriptions, or using aliases to get their hands on controlled drugs. Contractors may submit bogus invoices or providers may invent 'ghost patients' and make fraudulent claims for out of hours visits. Staff may have secured employment with the NHS using false documentation.

"Thankfully the level of fraud is comparatively small in Herefordshire", said Anita Siviter, a local counter fraud specialist. Her role is to oversee fraud-proofing measures, study financial data, look for anything suspicious, raise awareness and investigate allegations of fraud. And she has the support of a national service to deal with high-value or complex fraud.

"The work of the NHS counter fraud service has already resulted in the recovery of nearly £60 million and nearly 500 successful prosecutions over the last ten years nationally", added Anita Siviter. "We need every honest person who works in and uses the NHS to help by recognising and reporting any fraud that does occur so that we can ensure that public funds are spent on patient care".

This month the primary care trust is putting together fraud awareness stands in the following locations across the county:

Goal Street Health Centre, Hereford, on 17 October from 11am to 1.30pm; at Leominster Community Hospital on 24 October from 11am to 1pm; Ross Community Hospital on 27 October from 11am to 13.30pm and Ledbury Health and Care Centre on 31 October from 11am to 13.30pm. Patients, visitors and staff can talk to fraud specialists about the issue.

Marcia Pert, director of resources for the PCT, added: "Fraud against the NHS is not a victimless crime because these valuable funds are meant for patient care. We want to send a clear message that fraud will not be tolerated in our trust and we will support the prosecution of offenders.

"Although we pay particular attention to the issue during Fraud Awareness Month, the anti-fraud culture in the NHS is now exceedingly powerful and we will be looking out for suspected cases at any time and in every part of the health economy in Herefordshire".

To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please contact the NHS fraud and corruption reporting line on 0800 0284060.