The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is a health authority charged with identifying, investigating and preventing fraud and other economic crime within the NHS and the wider health group.
As a health authority focused entirely on counter fraud work, the NHSCFA is independent from other NHS bodies and directly accountable to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Our vision
Our vision is to work together to understand, find and prevent fraud, bribery and corruption in the NHS.
Our purpose
Our purpose is to “protect the NHS from fraud, bribery and corruption”.
We will achieve this by:
- being experts and leaders in our field
- leading the NHS response
- empowering others
- putting the interests of the NHS and its patients first
The NHSCFA's departmental sponsor is the Department of Health and Social Care Anti-Fraud Unit (DHSC AFU), which holds the NHSCFA board to account for the delivery of its strategy. Statutory Instrument 2017 No 958 sets out the establishment and constitution of the organisation. Schedule 2, parts 1 and 2, details the requirements for specific roles which make up our board. To find out more about the role of the NHSCFA board and its members please see the NHSCFA Board of Directors Section.
Our remit covers the NHS and the wider health group in England. In Wales we provide specialist counter fraud support functions to the Welsh Government under section 83 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. Please see the NHS Counter Fraud Service Wales page for more details.
Timeline of NHS Counter Fraud Authority 1998 to 2024
1998
Directorate of Counter Fraud Services (DCFS) created and assigned with overall responsibility for all the work to counter fraud and corruption undertaken in the NHS
1999
Inclusion of the Counter Fraud Operational Service (CFOS) providing a regional investigative capacity
2003
NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (NHS CFSMS), set up as a special health authority an arm’s length body of the Department of Health, to protect the staff, assets and resources of the NHS in England and Wales
2005
NHS CFSMS was amalgamated into the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) to be part of a single special health authority
2011
The CFSMS division of the NHSBSA is renamed NHS Protect with its counter fraud function aligned to the development and delivery of the DHSC anti-fraud strategy
2014
NHS Protect achieves its first million pound recovery with Dentist Joyce Trail required to pay back £1.4million she had defrauded from the NHS
2015
NHS Finance Manager Barry Cosson ordered to pay back £2.1 million defrauded from his NHS employer
2016
Four NHS Clinical specialists ordered to pay back £520,000 they had conspired to defraud from the NHS
2017
The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is created as a new special health authority charged with identifying, investigating and preventing fraud and other economic crime within the NHS and the wider health group (removing responsibility for the protection of staff in the NHS)
2017-2020
First NHSCFA strategy. Organisation establishes itself as a leader in counter fraud
£126m financial benefit achieved (2019-20)
2019
The NHSCFA increased their profile with 'Fraud Squad NHS' BBC One TV documentary series
2020
Covid-19 starts
NHSCFA remit renewed by parliament for another three years
2020-2023
Current strategy target of £400m overall financial benefit
£54m achieved in 2020-21 (against target of £50m)
2021-2022
Evolution Programme starts
Stakeholder Engagement programme launched
Clue implemented across NHS
2021
Appointment of new Chief Executive, Alex Rothwell
2022-2023
Ongoing evolution development of new NHSCFA strategy
2023
new operating model implemented, including new Fraud Hub
2023-2026
CFA Strategy
2023
Senior Manager sentenced for £560,000 Fraud against the NHS
2023
11 Year sentence for fraud and bribery against the NHS
2023
Two men found guilty of fraud and bribery against the NHS
2023
Fake Doctor sentenced to seven years for fraud and forgery
2023
Fraud Squad Series 5
2024
Project Athena announced
2024
Fraud Squad Series 6 (Autumn)
Our timeline, albeit relatively brief, shows how we have evolved to face past challenges like recessions, austerity and hardship. It also reminds us that we need to keep looking forward, to keep adapting to remain future fit and it’s here where our strategy comes in.
The organisation is continuously evolving to keep fraud in check. Our current organisation structure is available to view in PDF format.
At no stage in this timeline were we ever alone. The NHSCFA is an enabling function, a facilitator and orchestrator of the local counter-fraud effort within the NHS Trusts. Our timeline is a reminder of the links in that chain and how important that golden thread of dedication and collaboration will be moving forward.
Hopefully, publishing this now will prompt those who explore our journey to consider the part they played in the past, play now and will play in the future as there will be rewarding and testing times ahead for us all.