Tackling NHS Fraud

Independent crime-fighting Charity Crimestoppers has extended its contract with NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services for another two years.

It follows an initial six month pilot to tackle wrongdoing in the workplace.

Crimestoppers are working closely with the health service to encourage staff to report incidents such as embezzlement, high-value theft and false overtime claims.
  
Crimestoppers Commercial Manager, Kate Johnston, said: “Along with protecting the identity of the public who give us information, client security is paramount to us at Crimestoppers. We are thrilled to be able to extend our partnership with the NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services and are confident that the service will continue to be an asset to the organisation.
 
“We are happy to also be able to offer them information routing via our anonymous online form as well as through our reporting line to ensure that it is as easy as possible for information to be passed to us securely.”

Gordon Young, Head of NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services, added: “Much of the feedback CFS receives from staff working within the health service in Scotland relates to their wariness and general reluctance to report anything suspicious, either face-to-face to another NHS colleague or, when using a method of communication within the NHS domain. This is on the grounds of confidentiality and their wish to remain anonymous. 

“I feel that the aforementioned development in our working relationship with Crimestoppers is a significant step forward in addressing these concerns.
“Crimestoppers are market leaders in this area and their record on maintaining the callers’ anonymity is unsurpassed. This, combined with their professional approach to call handling, is a highly attractive proposition to us.”