Policies & Procedures

As an open and transparent organisation, we are committed to publishing as much information as possible. If you want information or a document which is not on our website you may request it under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Find out more about submitting a request here.

In December 2015, the NHS shared planning guidance 16/17 – 20/21 outlined a new approach to help ensure that health and care services are built around the needs of local populations.

In order to do this effectively, England has been divided into 44 geographical footprints. The health and care services within each of these footprints are working together to create a Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) which will show how local services will evolve and become sustainable over the next five years.

You can download a map of the 44 STP footprints here.

STPs footprints are not statutory bodies, but collective discussion forums which aim to bring together health and care leaders to support the delivery of improved health and care based on the needs of local populations. They do not replace existing local bodies, or change local accountabilities.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust provides services in both Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. Therefore, we come under two STP footprints (Gloucestershire and Herefordshire & Worcestershire) and are involved with creating and delivering two separate sustainability and transformation plans.

Find out more about the plans below:

• Gloucestershire STP
• Herefordshire STP

Who are we?

The Gloucestershire Local Counter Fraud Service (LCFS) provides a counter fraud service for Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group.

We are part of a national network of specialist investigators and our aim is to prevent fraud from happening and to deal with allegations that it has taken place – by NHS employees, contractors, suppliers, or members of the public.

What is fraud?

Fraud is when someone does something dishonestly in order to make a gain for themselves or someone else or cause a loss to another.  According to the Fraud Act 2006 it is not necessary to prove a person has been deceived.  The focus is on the individual’s dishonest behaviour and intent – and just trying to do it, even if not successful, makes the act complete.

Contact us

Call 0300 422 2726 if you suspect fraud.

Types of Fraud

Fraud manifests itself in the NHS in a variety of ways.  Fraud is said to cost the NHS an estimated £5 billion every year.  It is important that we are all aware of the types of fraud that are committed and are not afraid to report fraudulent behaviour.

Patient Fraud

Patient fraud includes wrongful claiming of exemption from fees or travel expenses, alteration of prescriptions, and using aliases to obtain controlled drugs.

Professionals

Fraud by NHS professionals includes claiming for treatment or services not provided, undertaking private work in NHS time and using Trust equipment and materials for private work

Managers and Staff

This type of fraud involves the submission of a false CV or references; false or inflated time sheets or expenses; working elsewhere whilst on sickness absence from the Trust; abuse of Trust equipment; misappropriation of funds; claims for non-existent employees; and for goods and services that are for personal use.

Contractors and Suppliers

Contractor and supplier fraud includes charging for items of a higher quality or greater quantity than those supplied; using an inappropriate tendering processes; false or duplicate invoices; and price fixing.

Immigration Matters

Individuals who work, or attempt to work for NHS organisations supplying false documentation ranging from false passports, visas and national insurance numbers to secure employment. 

What should I do if I suspect fraud?

If you are suspicious or have concerns:

DO tell your LCFS immediately by email or telephone – your confidentiality will be respected.  We never disclose the name of an informant
DO keep or copy any document that arouses your suspicions
DO NOT confront the individual with your suspicions
DO NOT try to investigate your suspicions yourself
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF STAFF you can tell your line manager, but you are not required to – you can come directly to LCFS

Contact your Local Counter Fraud Service (LCFS)

All employees play a vital role in helping reduce losses throughout the NHS. We all therefore have a responsibility to protect the NHS from fraud and bribery at any level. If you have any concerns in regard to fraud or bribery at this Trust, or would more information or an awareness session for your team, please contact us.

Report fraud by contacting a member of the team below:

Paul Kerrod – Deputy Head of Counter Fraud
Telephone 0300 422 2753
Email paul.kerrod@nhs.net

Luke Stack – Local Counter Fraud Support Officer
Telephone 0300 422 2723
Email luke.stack@nhs.net

NHS Counter Fraud Authority

Alternatively, you can contact NHS Counter Fraud Authority.  It is a simple means of reporting genuine suspicions of NHS fraud.  All calls are dealt with by experienced, trained staff.  Callers may remain anonymous if they wish.  Freephone 0800 028 4060 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm).  You can also report fraud using the NHS Counter Fraud Authority online reporting form.

The NHS is there for us from the moment we are born. It takes care of us and our family members when we need it most. The NHS was founded on a common set of principles and values, and the NHS Constitution establishes the principles and values of the NHS in England.

It sets out rights to which patients, public and staff are entitled, and pledges that the NHS is committed to achieving. It also sets out responsibilities, which the public, patients and staff owe to one another to ensure that the NHS operates fairly and effectively.

These rights cover how patients access health services, the quality of care you’ll receive, the treatments and programmes available to you, confidentiality, information and your right to complain if things go wrong. In return, the NHS expects you to take responsibility of your own health and use the NHS with respect. This includes:

• registering with a GP practice
• following courses of treatment you’ve agreed to
• always treating NHS staff and other patients with respect
• keeping GP and hospital appointments – or if you have to cancel, doing so in good time
• giving feedback – both positive and negative – about treatment you’ve received

No government can change the Constitution without the full involvement of staff, patients and the public. The Constitution is a promise that the NHS will always be there for you.

Download and read the Trust Constitution.

You can download the full NHS Constitution, as well as the Handbook to the Constitution and an Easy Read version of the NHS Constitution.

You can also listen to an audio version of the constitution.

Your rights to choice in the NHS

Everyone who is cared for by the NHS in England has legal rights that cover:

• rights about access to health services
• rights about quality of care and environment, such as the provision of same-sex hospital accommodation
• rights about treatments and drugs
• rights about consent and confidentiality
• rights about patient choice
• rights about your own involvement in your healthcare – for example, through schemes such as personal health budgets
• rights to complaints and redress

The NHS Constitutions sets out all of the above in detail. You can view these rights in detail on the GOV.UK website.

Your right to choice is also set out in the NHS Choice Framework, which explains when you have a legal right to choice about treatment and care in the NHS. The legal right to choice doesn’t apply to all healthcare services; however, where you do not have a legal right to choice, you should at least be offered some choices, depending on what’s available locally. Download the NHS Choice Framework from the GOV.UK website.