2025003

Information requested

‘I am undertaking research on PPE procurement in the public sector during the years 2020-2025. This can relate to fraud, bribery/corruption, conflicts of interest, overpricing / price-gouging, or potentially criminal procurement activity (collectively ‘illegality’).

1. During the period January 2020 - April 2025, how many reports on alleged / suspected illegality into PPE procurement did your organisation/department receive VIA your whistleblowing / speak up channels? It does not matter whether the matters are proved, disproved or spurious.)
2. During the period January 2020 - April 2025, how many reports on alleged / suspected illegality into PPE procurement did your organisation/department receive OUTSIDE the whistleblowing / speak-up channels? (This can include litigation, internal escalations, internally identified routes (e.g. internal audit), information from law enforcement and the police, or from Baringa (the Management Consultancy). It does not matter whether the matters are proved, disproved or spurious.) If you can break down / itemise the channels, that would be helpful.
3. During the period January 2020- April 2025, did your organisation/department maintain a whistleblowing / speak-up log? This would be of all concerns, not just related to PPE illegality. If so, please provide a copy (redacting any personal data of the reporter or individuals referenced in the log).

I am sensitive to any information that may be legally privileged or relevant to criminal proceedings. I can confirm I have no interest in any proceedings, and I have no wish to prejudice any proceedings. I would be grateful for whatever you can provide, even if it is redacted or caveat (e.g. as estimations’

NHSCFA response

1. During the period 1/1/2020 to 14/4/2025 NHS Counter Fraud Authority received 5 reports on alleged or suspected illegality in PPE procurement via whistleblowing / speak up channels.
2. During the period 1/1/2020 to 14/4/2025 NHS Counter Fraud Authority received 36 reports on alleged or suspected illegality in PPE procurement outside of whistleblowing channels.
3. During the period January 2020 to April 2025 the organisation did not maintain a separate whistleblowing log for the concerns listed in this request. All reports provided to NHS Counter Fraud Authority are recorded on the organisation’s intelligence database.

For the purpose of this response ‘whistleblowing channels’ are defined as persons answering ‘yes’ to the following question from the NHSCFA Fraud and Corruption on-Line reporting form,

‘Do you consider yourself to be making a protected disclosure under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998?’