Fraud measures save NHS tens of millions
Anti-fraud measures have saved the NHS £36m, according to government figures. The saving comes from initiatives which reduced prescription fraud by almost 40%.
Health minister Lord Philip Hunt said the success followed the creation of a new Directorate of Counter Fraud Services in September 1998 and has already seen tens of millions of pounds saved.
Lord Hunt said: ‘This is only the start. We will now redouble our efforts to counter all fraud against the NHS. The more we can protect the public money invested in the NHS the easier it will be to keep the public healthy.’
The cut in losses was identified by a new fraud measurement process which, by the spring, will have been applied to each area of the NHS’s budget.The £36m saving follows an investment of just £4m and close work with pharmacists to implement effective checks.
There are now eight counter-fraud teams covering the NHS plus a national team and two teams for dental and pharmaceutical fraud.
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