Fraud against the NHS will not be tolerated – this is the message coming from our local fraud-busters.

Fraud Awareness Month takes place this November and it coincides with International Fraud Awareness Week, running from 17 to 23 November.

We’re committed to making sure vital NHS funds are not lost to fraud and we’re reinforcing this message throughout November by holding a range of activities.

Nicki Foley, our Local Counter Fraud Specialist, will be hosting fraud stands on the following dates:

• Wednesday 6 November, 12pm onwards, Nourish restaurant, Hull Royal Infirmary
• Monday 11 November, 12pm onwards, Nightingale restaurant, Castle Hill Hospital
• Friday 15 November, 12pm onwards, Scunthorpe General Hospital restaurant
• Monday 18 November, 7.30am onwards, Global House reception
• Friday 22 November, 12pm onwards, Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital restaurant
• Tuesday 26 November, 12pm onwards, Goole and District Hospital main entrance.

Fraud against the NHS takes many guises including patients attempting to avoid paying prescription charges by falsely claiming exemptions or claiming for travelling expenses that they’re either not entitled to or haven’t incurred; staff may attempt to gain employment with false documentation or claim pay for shifts they did not work or work elsewhere while off sick from the Trust; and contractors may exaggerate or falsify records of NHS work or goods provided.

Nicki said: “All referrals made to us about suspicions of fraud are investigated thoroughly and are dealt with in the most appropriate manner, including where appropriate, prosecution through the criminal courts. We also seek to recover monies that have been defrauded and where NHS staff are involved, we take appropriate disciplinary action and refer them to their professional body for further possible sanctions.

“Most people who work in and use the NHS are honest but unfortunately, there’s a minority that try to defraud it of its valuable resources. Fraud is not just committed by staff but also patients and those who provide goods and services to the NHS.”

Mark Brearley, Interim Chief Financial Officer, said: “We need to ensure we all play our part, as fraud against the NHS is not a victimless crime. We need to protect our NHS funds to ensure they’re spent on delivering quality patient care within our organisation, and not directed into the pockets of fraudsters.”

Staff and members of the public are encouraged to play their part in protecting NHS resources and report any suspicions of fraud. To report suspected fraud or corruption in our Trusts, you can call Nicki on 03033 302994 or call the NHS fraud and corruption reporting line on 0800 028 40 60/visit http://www.cfa.nhs.uk/reportfraud.