The Trust is responsible for the administration of public funds for the purpose of providing health care to the community we serve.
It is recognised that the existence of fraud and corruption threaten to prevent these funds from providing maximum benefit to patients. The Trust takes a robust response to these threats as reflected in our Anti-Fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy and through developing an organisational culture that is intolerant of fraud, corruption and bribery.
Suspicions of fraud and corruption may be referred by staff, patients, visitors or others. In any instance where it is believed that the NHS has been defrauded, either internally or externally, our local anti- fraud specialist will undertake an investigation and look to gather evidence that can be used to support a criminal prosecution.
Fraud in the NHS is governed by NHS Protect, any concerns you may have in relation to a potential fraud at the Trust can be directed to NHS Protect or to our Local Anti- Fraud Specialist. Please see the contact details located below.
The Anti-Fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy can be found on the Policy page of this website. F06 Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy (in the Finance and Corporate Governance section).
The Bribery Act 2010 came into effect on 1 July 2011. Bribery is generally defined as giving someone a financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their functions or activities improperly or to reward that person for having already done so. The maximum penalty for bribery is 10 years imprisonment, with an unlimited fine. In addition the Act introduces a corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery if it is found that an organisation does not have adequate preventative procedures in place.
As a result, and in line with national guidance from NHS Protect, the Executive Director of Finance of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has issued a statement to say that the Trust will commit sufficient time and resources to the development and embedding of an appropriate anti-bribery programme.
The National NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line is a confidential reporting line operated by NHS Protect - https://cfa.nhs.uk/reportfraud Confidential Fraud Hotline: 0800 028 4060
If you would like to find out more about fraud prevention call our local anti-fraud specialist
Claire Smallman on 07769304145 or by e-mail: claire.smallman@miaa.nhs.uk