Our Counter Fraud Service is provided by Audit Yorkshire. Their experienced team of Local Counter Fraud Specialists work across various NHS organisations in Yorkshire to embed a counter fraud environment.

What is fraud and how does it impact the NHS

• Fraud is committed when a person deliberately makes a dishonest representation in order to make a gain or to cause a loss to someone else. For example, if someone stated on their expenses claim that they had travelled 50 miles when really, they had only travelled 10, this would be fraud. The person has made a false representation to make a gain.
• Fraud comes in many different forms. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) has produced a reference guide which provides lots of different examples of how the NHS can be affected by fraud – you can find the full guide here. At the latest estimate, it is believed that the NHS is vulnerable to £1.14 billion worth of fraud each year. NHS fraud diverts public funds away from the services that we all pay for, and into the pockets of dishonest people.

The role of the LCFS

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust has a dedicated Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS). The role of the LCFS has several strands and is overseen by the Director of Finance & Resources at a local level, and by the NHSCFA at a national level. Your LCFS will ensure your employer is meeting the standards set by the NHSCFA that policies and procedures are fraud proof, and that staff are encouraged and enabled to learn more about NHS fraud. The LCFS is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption. Your LCFS is here to help. If you have concerns about fraud affecting the NHS, please do get in touch with them for advice.

Reporting fraud

If you have concerns about fraud, you can report it through the following channels:

• Directly to your LCFS using their contact details listed above
• Directly to the Director of Finance & Resources, Bryan Machin
• By contacting the NHSCFA reporting line on 0800 028 4060
• By completing an online report: NHS Counter Fraud Authority online fraud and corruption reporting tool (cfa.nhs.uk)

Other examples of fraud types

• Patient Travel Expenses – a patient in receipt of qualifying benefits may claim travel expenses for secondary care appointments. If the person submits claims for additional journeys that they didn’t actually take, this would be fraud.
• Mandate Fraud – a fraudster contacts an NHS finance team pretending to be a genuine supplier. They request that the suppliers’ bank details are updated, and the next payment made to the supplier is diverted into the fraudster’s bank account.
• Working Whilst Sick – a person is signed off sick from their NHS role but then works elsewhere during their sick leave.

To read the latest Counter Fraud newsletters, visit Audit Yorkshire – Counter Fraud