§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much contractor fraud was detected in the NHS in each of the last four years. [89030]
§ Mr. LammyThe available figures are shown in the table:
1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 Number of cases detected 95 238 201 Value of loss identified1 (£) 450.041 3,334,010 4,296,395 1 Subject to recovery The National Health Service Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) was created in 1998 and became operational during 1999–2000. Since then detection, referral, conviction and recovery rates for cases involving NHS fraud have improved significantly.
Every health body in England and Wales is also required, in Secretary of State Directions, to have a dedicated and accredited local counter fraud specialist (LCFS) who can be contacted by NHS staff to report any suspicion of fraud in the NHS. The presence of LCFS in each health body not only improves the 122W detection rates for fraud and corruption but also contributes to a wider change in public and staff attitudes towards fraud in the NHS.
In addition, the NHS CFS has a fraud and corruption reporting line, which is a secure channel for members of the public and NHS staff to report any suspicion of fraud in the NHS.