Information requested
Please state:
- how many investigations, assessments or intelligence referrals concerning "ghost patients", inflated GP practice lists, or capitation payments for non-existent or deceased patients have been opened by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority in each of the last five financial years (2021/22 to 2025/26);
- the outcome of each (including any closed, referred for prosecution, or resulting in recovery); and
- the total sums identified as lost and recovered in relation to such cases.
If the NHSCFA conducted any national exercise or loss estimate relating to ghost patients since 2019, please provide the most recent figures or reports.
NHSCFA response
1. Total number of referrals concerning ghost patients, inflated GP practice lists or capitation payments for non-existent or deceased patients:
- 2021/2022: 8
- 2022/2023: 12
- 2023/2024: 9
- 2024/2025: 11
- 2025/2026: 12
Of the totals above, there were six investigations. One remains open. Five are closed investigations with no fraud found.
- 2022/2023: 1
- 2023/2024: 1
- 2024/2025: 1
- 2025/2026: 2
From 2019, NHS Counter Fraud Authority does not hold any information on a loss estimate or national exercise that is specific to ghost patients and disaggregates that from the rest of GP income/spend or the financial vulnerability estimate.