Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption
All NHS commissioning organisations are required to put in place arrangements to tackle fraud, bribery and corruption as required by NHS England. The work is undertaken by the CCGs' nominated Anti-Fraud Specialist (AFS), together with the Anti-Fraud team at Mersey Internal Audit Agency (MIAA). The CCGs' Chief Finance Officer oversees these arrangements for the CCGs.
What is fraud, bribery and corruption?
Fraud, bribery and corruption against the NHS are not victimless crimes – such activity diverts much-needed public funds into criminals’ pockets and needs to be stamped out. Some people are not aware that this is a problem for the NHS, or even know what it is or how it is committed.
Some examples of NHS fraud, bribery and corruption are as follows:
- NHS staff dishonestly working in another job when they are off sick
- NHS staff making false and inflated expenses, mileage claims, and timesheet claims
- NHS staff procuring goods and services for personal gain; such as ordering IT equipment or printer cartridges, then keeping it for their own use or selling them on
- An economic or personal conflict of interest which affects an NHS business transaction
- Job applicants failing to disclose criminal convictions or existing medical conditions; or providing false documentation such as qualifications, passports, and Home Office documents, in order to gain NHS employment
- Patients claiming free treatment and services when not entitled, such as prescriptions, glasses or dental treatment; or ‘Health Tourists’ providing false personal details in order to gain hospital treatment
- Contractors and suppliers to the NHS submitting false invoices for work they have not done, or submitting duplicate invoices for payment for work they have done
- Businesses or individuals offering extravagant gifts and hospitality to ‘decision-makers’ with the intention of influencing them to purchase their particular brand of goods, services, pharmaceuticals etc
- Trustees of personal health budgets diverting monies for their own benefit, money which should be used to fund care for a service user
How can I help to fight fraud, bribery and corruption against the NHS?
You can help to reduce NHS fraud, bribery, and corruption by reporting any suspicions against the CCGs or in the wider NHS, via any of the reporting channels below. Referrals will be assessed and appropriately dealt with by professionals, and you can provide information in confidence, or remain anonymous.
View the CCGs' pdf Anti-Fraud Bribery and Corruption policy .
Report your concerns to:
1. The CCGs' Anti-Fraud Specialist: Roger Causer, 0151 285 4500 - Mobile 07768 131 806
2. The CCG’s Chief Finance Officer: David Cooper, 01925 303019
3. National Online Fraud Reporting Tool
Good intelligence on local or national fraud threats enables more efficient and effective action. The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) supports the provision of better intelligence on fraud risks facing the NHS by providing a secure national fraud reporting service both online and via the telephone.
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority provides an online reporting tool to continue to enable NHS employees, patients and third parties to report allegations of fraud and corruption directly to the NHS CFA.
All information you provide will be treated in complete confidence.
There are two ways of reporting that determine how your personal details are handled.
- Linked – If you have no concerns about your personal details being linked to the information you are providing (or if you are reporting something in an official capacity as part of your job). This means that your details will be held with the information and made available to the investigating officer. This will allow us to contact you easily if anything needs to be clarified.
- Separated – If you are happy to provide your personal details to NHS Counter Fraud Authority but would like your personal details separated from the information you are providing. Measures will be taken on receipt to ensure that the information that you have provided does not reveal your identity. Your personal details will not be disclosed to anyone including the investigating officer without your permission unless we are obliged by law, or it is in the wider public interest.
4. 24-hour Fraud Reporting Hotline
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority has also partnered with Crimestoppers to provide a 24-hour Fraud Reporting Hotline. If you prefer you can speak to an experienced call handler, in confidence, by dialling 0800 028 4060
Other useful contacts and anti-fraud resources
The CCG Fraud Champion
As part of the new government fraud standards all NHS bodies are required to have a fraud champion in place. The role and duties of Fraud Champion includes:
- Promote awareness of fraud, bribery and corruption within the CCGs
- Understand the threat posed by fraud, bribery and corruption
- Understand best practice on counter fraud.
As the fraud champion, locally they are joining the fight and promoting a zero-tolerance approach to fraud within the CCGs.
The CCGs' Fraud Champion is Bryan Webb, who can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07436 280970.
Freedom to Speak up Guardian/ Raising Concerns/ Whistleblowing
The CCGs' Freedom to speak up Guardian is our Chief Nurse, Michelle Creed. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Conflicts of Interests Guardian
The CCGs' Conflict of Interest Guardian is our Governing Body Lay Member and Audit Chair Gareth Hall. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NHS Counter Fraud Authority
For more information, please visit the NHS Counter Fraud Authority website.