Fraud and Corruption

What is fraud?

Fraud is a general term for any type of activity that results in a deception to dishonestly obtain property or money from NHS Kirklees, which includes patients, staff and visitors. Fraud involves intentional deceit and is very different to, and does not include, negligence and accidental error.

What is corruption?

Corruption involves an employee receiving a reward from a third party in return for doing something to that person's benefit rather than the PCT. For example, receiving a gift as a result of placing an order with a particular supplier.

Why are they important?

Both fraud and corruption can result in the loss of NHS resources. This in turn can adversely affect the delivery of patient services and the provision of staff training and benefits. Fraud within the public sector costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds each year. In response, the NHS set up the Counter Fraud Service in 1998. Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place at all NHS organisations.

Instances of fraud or corruption reflect badly on Kirklees Primary Care Trust and can undermine the hard work and loyalty exhibited by most staff.

Whose problem is it?

Everyone has a role to play in the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption. You can help by:

• Complying with the PCTs written policies and procedures. They are for your protection as well as the Trust's.
• Identifying and reporting to your manager any opportunities to strengthen these procedures.
• Becoming familiar with the Counter Fraud Policy.

Employees are often the first to see or suspect something which may be innocent or which may turn out to be fraud or corruption. You can play a significant part in the NHS's strategy against fraud and corruption by keeping your eyes open and by reporting genuine suspicions promptly to the relevant people.

What you should do if you suspect fraud or corruption

If you have a genuine suspicion about fraud or corruption you should make a note of all relevant details and report it immediately to either:

• Local Counter Fraud Specialist – Liz O’Reilly (01924 816098)
• NHS National Fraud Hotline (0800 028 40 60)

Will your information be treated in confidence?

Everything practical will be done to protect your anonymity, although this cannot be guaranteed. The PCT is committed to supporting and protecting all employees who report genuine suspicions in the correct way, even if the suspicions turn out to be groundless.

Further information on countering Fraud

Additional information can also be found on the NHS Counter Fraud Service website (www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/fraud ).