It is estimated that the NHS loses £1.21 billion per year, or roughly £3.3 million per day, to fraud. This is taxpayers' money that is taken away from patient care and falls into the hands of criminals. This is enough money to pay for over 40,000 staff nurses, or to purchase over 5,000 emergency ambulances. When we say 'fraud', we refer to a range of economic crimes, such as fraud, bribery and corruption or any other illegal acts committed by an individual or group of individuals to obtain a financial or professional gain.

How does the Trust fight fraud?

AuditOne, the trust’s counter fraud provider works closely with the trust to combat fraud.

We have a team of experienced counter fraud specialists delivering a full range of counter fraud, bribery and corruption services including prevention, detection and investigation. Our professionally qualified counter fraud specialists work to identify potential fraud, bribery and corruption risks through policy and system reviews and suggest remedial action to reduce and mitigate these risks. We are experienced in carrying out timely criminal investigations, from referral to prosecution.

AuditOne is an NHS consortium providing counter fraud services to 23 NHS and independent health care provider organisations across the North of England. It is hosted by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and is a not-for-profit organisation.


How you can help us tackle fraud

If you suspect fraud is occurring, you can help by following these steps and reporting your suspicions confidentially to the fraud hotline:

  1. Make an immediate note of your concerns.
  2. Do not approach or accuse individuals yourself.
  3. Do not try to investigate the matter yourself.
  4. Contact a counter fraud specialist as soon as possible.
     

How to report fraud

Our counter fraud specialists deal with all reports of suspected fraud in the strictest confidence. When you make a report you’ll be kept up to date with the progress of the investigation.

Alternatively, you can phone the national fraud and corruption reporting line on 08000 284060. 

All calls are made in strictest confidence and you will not be asked to provide any personal details if you want to remain anonymous. You’ll be given a call reference number that you can quote if you phone again with additional information.


Common types of fraud that occur within the NHS: