NHS saves millions combating fraud

The NHS has saved 811 million pounds to be spent on patient care in the last seven years through combating fraud in the health services.

Statistics published by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) show a 55 per cent drop in fraud in the last seven years, falling from 171 million pounds in 1998 to 76 million pounds in 2006.

Additionally, the NHS CFS reported a 96 per cent successful prosecution rate, with 360 prosecutions and 434 cases of disciplinary measures being taken.

Rosie Winterton, health minister, said: “Tackling NHS fraud is a real success under this government and the results are a testament to Jim Gee and the NHS CFS.

“On behalf of the government, I would like to thank Jim Gee and wish him luck for the future.”

She added that the government would not diminish its efforts following the publication of its results and continue to prevent, detect and punish incidents of fraud in the health service.

E-Health Insider reports that the NHS CFS Management Service Forensic Computing Unit played a role in combating fraud in the NHS.

The NHS CFS Management Service Forensic Computing Unit provides the NHS with professional services to recover digital evidence for use in criminal and civil actions, in addition to other services to ensure adequate compliance with corporate regulations.