The NHS Counter Fraud Service reported a 22 per cent reduction in the annual £1.15m fraud bill (1999-2000) Ð caused by patients fraudulently claiming an exemption from optical charges Ð to £900,000 (2002-03).
The CFS introduced Point of Service (POS) checks in May 2001 to verify patients' eligibility for free optical services at the time they receive treatment.
Practices were initially concerned that asking patients to prove their eligibility might affect relations (April 6, 2001), but the NHS fraud body reported that optical practitioners had been carrying out these checks in a 'highly professional and effective manner'.
Hutt said: 'While there is still work to be done, today's figures demonstrate our commitment to making sure that resources intended for patient care go to the people who need them. Fraud in the NHS is unacceptable and NHS fraudsters, whether they are members of the NHS workforce or patients, will not be tolerated by this Government.'
UK figures released this week showed that total prescription fraud in the UK Ð including pharmacy Ð in the NHS had fallen by 60 per cent in four years, from £117m (1998-99) to £47m (2002-2003). Optical practitioners in Wales have played a key role in cutting patient fraud by more than one fifth, Welsh Assembly health minister Jane Hutt has said.
The NHS Counter Fraud Service reported a 22 per cent reduction in the annual £1.15m fraud bill (1999-2000) Ð caused by patients fraudulently claiming an exemption from optical charges Ð to £900,000 (2002-03).
The CFS introduced Point of Service (POS) checks in May 2001 to verify patients' eligibility for free optical services at the time they receive treatment.
Practices were initially concerned that asking patients to prove their eligibility might affect relations (April 6, 2001), but the NHS fraud body reported that optical practitioners had been carrying out these checks in a 'highly professional and effective manner'.
Hutt said: 'While there is still work to be done, today's figures demonstrate our commitment to making sure that resources intended for patient care go to the people who need them. Fraud in the NHS is unacceptable and NHS fraudsters, whether they are members of the NHS workforce or patients, will not be tolerated by this Government.'
UK figures released this week showed that total prescription fraud in the UK Ð including pharmacy Ð in the NHS had fallen by 60 per cent in four years, from £117m (1998-99) to £47m (2002-2003).
Optical practitioners in Wales have played a key role in cutting patient fraud by more than one fifth, Welsh Assembly health minister Jane Hutt has said.