Fraud cause of Ôgrave concernÕ says the GOC

Speaking at last weekÕs NHS Counter Fraud SpecialistsÕ Conference GOC registrar Peter Coe said the number of fraud-related cases in optics was the cause of Ôgrave concernÕ.He joined health minister Lord Philip Hunt and representatives from the dental and pharmaceutical professions at the second annual conference. Lord Hunt said he would be signing a new counter fraud charter with the NHSÕs regulatory bodies.Mr Coe said: ÔThe increase in the number of fraud-related cases brought before the GOCÕs Disciplinary Committee, has, in recent years, been the cause of grave concern, particularly where patients may have been put at risk as a result. ÔThe Disciplinary Committee has repeatedly indicated that fraud by practitioners, and particularly fraud against the National Health Service, must not and will not be tolerated,Õ he said. Since it was established in 1999 the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) has benefited the NHS by £194m compared to costs of just under £14m. The GOC acknowledged the important work of the NHS Counter Fraud Service in the detection of fraud, added Mr Coe.ÔOn that basis, the GOC welcomes the opportunity to sign this Charter confirming its part in ensuring that the resources of the National Health Service are safeguarded for future patient care.Õ