‘Corruption’ is described in the UK’s Anti-Corruption Strategy as involving ‘the abuse of office and position to benefit a third party in return for payment or other reward’ by HM Government and therefore, is applicable to the NHS. The Home Office based Joint Anti-Corruption Unit provides a coordinated approach to tackling corruption and the NHSCFA has focused its analysis on reports from 2021 to 2024 where the keywords ‘corruption’ and ‘bribery’ are mentioned. It was found that corruption is more likely to appear in reports received by the NHSCFA than bribery. This is potentially due to bribery being a more discreet act which would normally occur between two parties within a closed environment. Whereas corruption could be alleged if an individual disagrees, disputes, or misunderstands a decision.
Staff fraud is the highest form of corruption reported relating to 69% of the reports. Staff fraud accounts for most of the corruption reports received by the NHSCFA. These reports include allegations relating to insider issues, employee declarations, and income / hours.
Reports received within procurement and commissioning of services were also specifically analysed to determine prevalent modus operandi. Approximately 46% of all the reports relating to procurement and commissioning were linked to staff collusion, including breaches in procurement rules, tender rigging, false quotes and tenders, as well as bribery specific reports. Contractor collusion related to 3% of these reports. Lower reporting in this area could in some cases be attributed to criminal behaviour being committed in the corporate world and not as easily witnessed in the healthcare sector.