Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA)
The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) has produced a mandate explaining how it works within government, what its responsibilities are and its mission and principles for leading fraud work within ministerial departments and public bodies. The strategic response to fraud for the wider health group and NHS is detailed in the DHSC AFU Strategy 2023-2026, the NHS England Counter Fraud Strategy 2023-2026 and within this strategy for 2023-2026.
The PSFA will provide oversight of the DHSC response to fraud.
DHSC Anti-Fraud Unit (DHSC-AFU)
It provides briefing, advice and support to the Accounting Officer and Ministers on all aspects of the fraud threat/ counter fraud response, governance and control, as required. The DHSC AFU is the departmental sponsor team for the NHSCFA.
The DHSC AFU also provides support and co-ordination in the development and delivery of counter fraud work and holds to account those responsible for actions. Their role is to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption in both the Department, its ALB’s and companies owned by the Secretary of State where the health service is not affected.
The DHSC AFU also seeks to ensure fraud prevention is built into DHSC policy development at the earliest possible stage and promotes awareness of fraud risks across the health group. The DHSC AFU has representation at the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF) and on the Board of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP).
As part of the wider cross- government counter fraud agenda, the DHSC AFU engages with the PSFA and other government departments at a strategic level to prevent and deter fraud.
NHS England
NHS England provides national leadership for the NHS by promoting high quality health and care for all. They support NHS organisations to work in partnership to deliver better outcomes for patients and communities, at the best possible value for taxpayers and to continuously improve the NHS. NHSCFA collaborate in many areas of counter fraud and enforcement as we collectively strive to minimise the hidden cost of fraud to deliver high quality health care, value and improve the NHS.
The recent merger of NHS England, NHS Digital and Health Education England provides greater opportunity for counter fraud collaboration and impact across the health system.
NHS Business Services Authority
NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) provide a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. NHSCFA and NHSBSA collaborate in many areas from targeted counter fraud project work to data provision for key counter fraud analysis.
Working collaboratively with key partners
We continue to work collaboratively with our key partners within the health family and beyond.
Our aims and objectives closely align with those of the DHSC, NHSBSA, NHSE, UK Health Security Agency, NHS Resolution, NHS Blood and Transplant and all health bodies in England.
Local Counter Fraud Community
The overall response to fraud in the NHS is driven by a community of Local Counter Fraud Specialists operating within every health body in England, providing counter fraud services to every Director of Finance and Audit Committee across the sector. The NHSCFA works collaboratively and in partnership with this community of NHS counter fraud expertise and works to enable, support and provide guidance and assistance to the work that they do at a local level. Their role is critical in protecting the NHS from fraud and providing an effective and coordinated response when fraud is committed.
Counter Fraud Board
The following six organisations (NHSCFA, NHSBSA, NHSE, UKHSA, DHSC AFU and PSFA) are members of the DHSC chaired Counter Fraud Board (CFB) which provides a collaborative approach and strategic oversight of the DHSC counter fraud response. CFB members have contributed to the development of each other’s counter fraud strategies.
To achieve the best outcomes from counter fraud activity we actively engage with partners both at a strategic and local level.
Counter Fraud Liaison Group (CFLG)
The DHSC chaired CFLG brings together counter fraud leads from each of the DHSC Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) and a representative from the companies owned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, providing a forum/wider network to support each other.
Meeting each quarter, the group promotes best practice between organisations and share fraud risks that may impact other public health sector organisations and wider. The aim is to set an engaging and relevant agenda, bringing in expert speakers from across government including the PSFA who provide updates from the center.
Control Strategy and Strategic Tasking Group (CSSTG)
The purpose of the CSSTG is for members of the wider health group to collectively agree priorities and areas for counter fraud activity for the forthcoming financial year and strategy cycle. This will form the Control strategy process for counter fraud within the NHS and, when applicable the wider health group. This will assist all involved to complement each other’s work more effectively and avoid any unnecessary duplication or gaps.
The Control strategy creates an ‘intelligence led’ approach to enable the right issues to be tackled at the right time and ensure resources are allocated accordingly. The Control strategy will not tackle every fraud issue within the NHS but will assist in identifying those where our collective, albeit limited resources will have the most impact.