Countering fraud

Our aim is to reduce fraud in the NHS to an absolute minimum and then ensure that it stays at that level permanently.

The primary purpose of this site is to promote the work that goes on within the Trust in the fight to counter fraud and to ensure that you know what to do and who to contact if you suspect that a fraud is being carried out against the NHS.

Anyone who is undertaking a fraudulent activity against the Trust is not acting in the best interests of the patients or the NHS.

Types of fraud

There are many areas susceptible to fraud in the NHS including:

Staff fraud

• Travel Expenses – Claiming for extra journeys or mileage not done
• Qualifications – False or exaggerated academic or professional qualifications
• False Identification documents
• Sickness/Attendance – Working at other jobs whilst on leave from the NHS
• Timesheets – Falsely claiming for time not worked
• Invoices/Ordering – Over-ordering of goods and using excess for personal use

Patient Fraud

• Prescriptions – Claiming falsely as exempt from charge or changing prescribed items
• Identity – Multiple registrations with GPs

Supplier/Contractor Fraud

• Bogus request for payment
• Collusion with employees to obtain contracts

Please help us stop any fraudulent activity

Fraud should be reported immediately to either the Trust’s Local Counter Fraud Specialists or Executive Director of Finance. The LCFSs for City Hospitals Sunderland are:

Alternatively, you can email fraud@chsft.nhs.uk or contact the NHS National Fraud Reporting Line on: 0800 028 40 60 or www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/fraud