Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to reducing fraud, bribery and corruption in the NHS, freeing up public resources for better patient care.

Our anti-fraud and bribery policy covers all Trust employees, bank and locum staff, contractors, consultants, suppliers, internal and external stakeholders, and covers:

  • How the Trust will improve the knowledge and understanding of everyone in our Trust, irrespective of their position, about the risk of fraud, bribery and corruption within the organisation and its unacceptability
  • How the Trust will promote an anti-fraud culture and an environment where staff feel able to raise concerns and understand that fraud, bribery and corruption are unacceptable
  • The Trust’s responsibilities in terms of the deterrence, prevention, detection and investigation of fraud, bribery and corruption
  • How we ensure that appropriate sanctions are considered following an investigation, which may include internal disciplinary action, civil recovery, criminal prosecution, or referral to a professional regulatory body

Definitions

Fraud

Fraud involves dishonestly making a false representation, failing to disclose information or abusing a position held, with the intention of making a financial gain or causing a financial loss. The gain or loss does not have to succeed for fraud to have been perpetrated, as long as the intent is there. The Fraud Act 2006 came into force on 15th January 2007 and applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Bribery

The Bribery Act 2010 introduced new legislation to combat bribery and corruption. Bribery is broadly defined as giving or offering someone a financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their function improperly; or requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting the advantage offered. Section 7 of the Act introduced a new corporate offence.

Reporting concerns

Any information about suspicions of fraud, bribery, or corruption can be reported to:

The Counter Fraud Specialist, who implements the NHS Counter Fraud Strategy within the Trust. All calls received will be treated in the strictest confidence and any information will be professionally assessed and evaluated.

Alternatively, you can pass the information to:

  • The National Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.
  • The charity "Public Concern at Work” on 020 7404 6609.