§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the Healthcare Financial Management Association report concerning alleged fraud in the health service; and if he will make a statement; [5657]
(2) what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Healthcare Financial Management Association report on alleged fraud in the health service. [5658]
§ Mr. MilburnWe are determined to stamp out fraud which diverts resources away from patient care in the national health service. The report of the Efficiency Scrutiny on Prescription Fraud in England and Wales was published on 19 June. In response to that report, we have already announced the Government's intention to take immediate steps to tackle prescription fraud.
We shall also look carefully at the report of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and consider its recommendations, some of which complement those of the Efficiency Scrutiny. We shall consider the proposals to deal with dental and optical fraud on a similar timescale.