Published on: 8 November 2022

Fraud fighting heroes in the spotlight

As South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust celebrates International Fraud Awareness Week (14-20 November), read about the threat of fraud against the NHS, how fraud fighters tackle it, and how you can help them.

As the NHS came under unprecedented pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic, fraud was probably not at the top of most NHS people’s minds. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the criminals who target the NHS for financial gain. Fraudsters are always on the lookout for ways to make money from their victims, and their actions are a growing threat to individuals and organisations alike.

Fraud is estimated to cost the NHS more than £1 billion each year – enough to pay for over 40,000 nurses. Many will be shocked to learn that some people, fortunately a small minority, seek to gain by targeting taxpayer funds that are meant for patient care – particularly at a time when NHS resources are under significant pressure.

Because fraud is a hidden crime, knowing about it is the first step in dealing with it. That’s why this week South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is joining hundreds of organisations around the world in celebrating International Fraud Awareness Week (IFAW), or Fraud Week.

For this year’s Fraud Week we are supporting our counter fraud provider, AuditOne and the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) campaign highlighting the role of professional fraud fighters in the NHS, particularly:

  • Local Counter Fraud Specialists (CFSs), who are on the frontline of the fight against NHS fraud and deliver a wide range of counter fraud work (from awareness to prevention to investigations, to name a few)
  • Fraud Champions, senior leaders who support the counter fraud agenda at a strategic level within their organisations

NHS people, and the population they serve, know all too well that you don’t need a cape to be a hero. However, we still want to recognise and celebrate the everyday heroes who protect precious NHS resources from the criminals who target them for personal gain – that’s why the campaign features LCFSs and Fraud Champions as superheroes.

While some fraud fighters have superpowers, everyone can and should play a part in tackling fraud against the NHS. How?

  • By being vigilant and knowing how to spot fraud
  • By knowing how to report fraud if you suspect it (see details below)
  • By following anti-fraud advice and guidance designed to stop fraud from happening in the first place
  • By spreading the anti-fraud message among your networks

For more information about fraud against the NHS, please visit the NHSCFA’s website, follow them on social media (Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook), or speak to your Counter Fraud Specialist who can provide further advice and support (details below).

If you have any suspicions or concerns about fraud in the NHS, report them to the AuditOne counter fraud team on 0191 441 5936 or at counterfraud@audit-one.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the NHSCFA at cfa.nhs.uk/reportfraud or by calling 0800 028 4060 (available 24 hours). All reports are treated in confidence, and you have the option to report anonymously

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