2nd Annual NHS Fraud Awareness Month - October 2004

More Sites, More people, More Awareness

Following the success of the first ever NHS Fraud Awareness Month (NHS FAM) in October 2003, the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (NHS CFSMS) will be visiting even more sites and meeting more people during the bigger and better NHS FAM October 2004.

NHS CFSMS staff will be visiting 200 hospital sites all over England and Wales and meeting an estimated 150,000 NHS staff and patients.  The aim of NHS FAM is to raise awareness of fraud and the effect it has on the health service. It will illustrate the important role NHS staff and the general public play in fighting it.

The anti-fraud message reached an unprecedented number of people during October 2003. 115,000 people, mainly NHS staff and patients, met CFSMS staff at over 157 NHS sites. Some had no knowledge of NHS fraud until NHS FAM, including how to report a suspicion. Now 94% of those seen are not only aware of the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line - 08702 400 100 - but will use it should they have suspicions.

Jim Gee Chief Executive of the NHS CFSMS said:

"After the success of NHS Fraud Awareness Month 2003, we are making this year even bigger and better. Visiting more sites and meeting more people means a greater awareness of NHS Fraud and how to tackle it.

It is important that we build on last year and spread the anti- fraud message to a wider range of people. Changing the perception of fraud is central to stopping it. By meeting people and informing them of the effect it can have on the NHS, we will create a culture where fraud will not be tolerated."

Notes

1. A full schedule of sites being visited is available at www.cfsms.nhs.uk

2. Events for NHS Fraud Awareness Month 2004 will be held in hospital canteens and receptions.

3. The Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS, whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors and to create a lasting anti-fraud culture within the health service.

4. More than 400 professionally trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are now in place covering every health body in England and Wales . They are supported by the national and regional Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS).

5. Between 1999 and 2004, counter fraud work cut pharmaceutical patient fraud by 60%, dental patient fraud by 25%, optical patient fraud by 23% and, in some areas, fraud by NHS professionals by 31 - 46%. Fraud detection rates have improved by more than 1400% and there is a 97% successful prosecution rate.

6. Counter fraud measures have produced a financial benefit to the NHS of over GBP478 million, a 13:1 return on its budget, since 1999.

7. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 08702 400 100.

Source: NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service

(30/9/04)