§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what progress has been made in establishing common criteria for reporting and collating information on crime on National Health Service premises;
(2) what action has been taken on linen losses since the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the 1981–82 National Health Service accounts; and if he will make a statement on the current level of theft of linen;
(3) what quantity of linen was purchased by the National Health Service for the year ended 31 March 1983;
(4) what replies he has received from health authorities in response to his circulars of December 1982 to review their arrangements and develop cost-effective strategies for maximum security of assets and for the recording, reporting and investigation of losses; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what progress has been made on the production of a National Health Service security manual, as recommended in the first report of the National Association of Health Authorities;
(6) how many health authorities have drawn up a security strategy, as recommended in the first report of the National Association of Health Authorities; and what discussion of that strategy has taken place with his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have received reports from all regional health authorities which show that district health authorities have reviewed their arrangements for the security of equipment, stock and premises. All health authorities have developed, or are developing security strategies to improve existing procedures which should include where necessary improvements in the control of hospital linen. The Department is considering the reports to identify what further action is required.
The National Association of Health Authorities has now drafted a security manual which it is issuing shortly for consultation with a view to publication of the final version later this year. I am told that the manual will include recommendations for the reporting and collation of information on crime on National Health Service premises.
Accounts submitted by health authorities in England show expenditure of £44.6 million in 1982–83 on bedding and linen. Losses of linen are not identified in the information currently held by the Department. Arrangements have been made for separate figures to be recorded as from 1 April 1984.
§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what action is taken where there is found to be unauthorised use of National Health Service property by staff;
(2) if it is his policy to prosecute in all cases where fraud, theft or arson is committed in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement;
497W(3) what is the practice in respect of National Health Service premises as regards the formal recording of crimes against people or private property there; and if he will make a statement;
(4) if it is his policy that staff convicted of fraud in the National Health Service or theft of National Health Service property are dismissed.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is for each health authority to decide the right course of action in each case in the public and service interests. Authorities are required to institute disciplinary action, including summary dismissal where appropriate, and to notify the police in all cases where the circumstances justify such a course. Prosecution and conviction would normally justify summary dismissal but authorities would need to follow their disciplinary procedures and consider the circumstances before deciding in each case.
§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the police are informed on every occasion when examples of theft, fraud and arson are discovered in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe advise health authorities that the police should be notified of all losses to the National Health Service which appear to be caused by theft, fraud or arson.
§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many staff currently employed in the National Health Service have been convicted of fraud or theft of National Health Service property;
(2) how many staff have been dismissed from employment in the National Health Service following investigations into fraud or theft of National Health Service property in each of the last three years;
(3) against how many National Health Service staff internal disciplinary proceedings have been taken following investigations into fraud or theft of National Health Service property in each of the last three years;
(4) in how many of the 4,290 cases of theft, fraud and arson discovered in the National Health Service, for the year ended 31 March 1983, staff were convicted of related offences.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect information of this kind centrally. I would not expect authorities to employ anyone involved in the theft of NHS property.