Wendy Currums, Local Counter Fraud Specialist

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Presented by Wendy Currums, Local Counter Fraud
Specialist
Anti-Fraud, Bribery Corruption Presentation Corp
orate Induction
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Aim of Todays Session

• Awareness of NHS Fraud, Bribery and Corruption
• Types of NHS Fraud using real cases
• Introduction to Bribery Act
• Role of Local Counter Fraud Specialist
• Contact details to report suspicions

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What is FRAUD?

• Fraud Act 2006
• Sect 2 Fraud by False Representation
• Sect 3 Fraud by Failing to Provide Information
• Sect 4 Fraud by Abuse of Position

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Drug Fraud
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Cremation Expenses Fraud
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Rubbing salt into the wounds!
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Calculated!
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Recent Cases

• Lab Technician in Mansfield used the Trusts
  mailing system to deliver items he had sold on
  eBay. Sentenced to 12 month Conditional
  Discharge, compensation and costs.
• A patient was prosecuted in Salford in February
  2012. She added Diazepam to her prescription
  before presenting it to pharmacy who spotted the
  fraudulent prescription. When she was arrested
  the police found an additional four prescriptions
  that she had stolen from the Trust. 6 month
  community order, 6 month supervision order and 6
  month womens order to run in parallel.
• Senior Nurse from St Helens claimed payment for
  shifts not worked to the value of 24,000. 2
  year supervision order. 2,210 investigation
  costs and Trust repaid in full.

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Types of NHS Frauds

• Working whilst sick
• Timesheet/overtime
• Travel and associated mileage
• E-bay
• Procurement Fraud
• Contractor Fraud
• CVs and qualifications
• Patient Fraud

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Bribery Act 2010

• An inducement or reward offered, promised or
  provided to someone to perform a relevant
  function or activity improperly in order to gain
  a personal, commercial, regulatory and/or
  contractual advantage, on behalf of oneself or
  another.
• In effect from 1st July 2011
• Criminal offence to
• Give, promise or offer a bribe (s1)
• Request, agree to receive or accept a bribe (s2)
• Bribe a foreign public official (s6)
• Corporate criminal offence of failing to prevent
  bribery (s7)
• Adequate Procedures defence

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• First defendant to be convicted under new Bribery
  Act is a COURT CLERK
• Munir Patel, 22, made legal history as he became
  the first person to be convicted under the new
  Bribery Act.
• He used his privileged access as an
  administration clerk in the back rooms of a
  magistrates court to tamper with an official
  database. Taking 500 bungs to wipe out
  convictions of speeding motorists
• Patel was recorded by a hidden camera bragging
  how he took bribes all day long to delete vital
  court records in Redbridge, east London.
• An undercover national newspaper reporter also
  caught him agreeing to wipe a conviction for a
  driver caught speeding in return for cash.
• He was arrested after a dossier of damning
  evidence was handed to the Metropolitan Police in
  August.

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Role of the Local Counter Fraud Specialist

• Creating an Anti-fraud Culture
• Workshops, presentations, newsletters,
  e-learning, surveys etc.
• Deterrence
• Publicity, leaflets, posters.
• Prevention
• Fraud Alerts, strengthening systems and
  procedures
• Detection
• Liaise with staff groups/Undertake pro-active
  work.
• Investigate
• Staff trained to police standards
• Sanctions/Redress
• Criminal and disciplinary recovery of funds
  civil action
• Counter Fraud Arrangements
• Meets with key stakeholders AC attendance and
  reporting

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Suspect NHS Fraud, Bribery or Corruption? PLEASE
REPORT IT...

• Your active assistance is socially
  responsible saves the NHS It benefits us
  all as taxpayers NHS users and frees up
  valuable funds for a better NHS
• DO...
• Note details of the suspect(s)
• Note specific issues/concerns think what would
  be useful
• Identify anyone who may have information
• Note contact details
• Secure any evidence and keep your notes safe
• Maintain confidentiality
• Contact your LCFS, Director of Finance, Fraud
  Hotline [phone] or online at
  www.reportnhsfraud.nhs.uk
• PLEASE DO NOT...
• Report to your Line Manager
• Ignore the problem you might be the only one
  who knows about it
• Investigate it yourself or start discussing it
  with others
• Confront anyone
• Carry out any surveillance
• Tamper with computers, equipment or files you
  think may be involved
• Commence any disciplinary action before informing
  your LCFS

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Official Reporting Lines

• Neil Smith, Director of Finance
• Darrell Davies, Head of Fraud / Local Counter
  Fraud Specialist
• Tel [phone]
• Email darrell.davies_at_miaa.nhs.uk
• MIAA Counter Fraud Team
• Tel [phone]
• Confidential Fraud Hot-line - 0800 028 4060
• Online at www.reportnhsfraud.nhs.uk