New powers planned to tackle NHS fraud
Plans to require pharmacy contractors, GPs and other NHS contractors in England to hand over records to fraud investigators — or face prosecution — have been announced.
According to the Department of Health, the plans mean that counter-fraud
specialists with knowledge of the NHS will be able to conduct investigations
in a way that is sensitive to the needs of patients and workers. This
will reduce the need for police assistance to search premises or take
property which might contain evidence.
The proposals, which will require new legislation, include a right to
require access to original documents relating to all NHS bodies and individuals
or contractors providing NHS services. They also recommend the creation
of a new criminal offence of failing to comply with the legislation.
New legislation would require all NHS bodies, other individuals and contractors
to give NHS counter fraud officers all the information they need to investigate
possible fraud.
This last proposal could mean that non-clinical counter-fraud staff could
have access to confidential patient information. |
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