DoH publishes guidance on tackling health service fraud

Aimed at providing standard guidance on fraud across the whole of the health service, it has been developed by the Directorate of Counter Fraud Services at the Department of Health. DCFS director Jim Gee said significant progress had been made in the fight against fraud in the health professions in the past 18 months. 'The NHS is a massive organisation, so results take time. But by this autumn we should have the first ever figures on patient tracking fraud across optical services, dental services and general medical services,' he said. From next spring, 250 trained local counter fraud specialists, one for every health authority and trust in the country, will intensify the crackdown on dishonest professionals. Mr Gee told optician there were 41 cases waiting to go to court. 'We're currently investigating fraud to the value of &\#163;27m, some involving opticians.' He confirmed that there were 23 opticians currently under active investigation. He said the optical profession had been very supportive of DCFS's work. 'I was warned when I first took this job that the hardest part would be to get the support of the professional associations, not just in optometry but in the other areas of the NHS too. I have to say I haven't found that to be the case.'