What is fraud, bribery and corruption?

Acts of fraud, bribery and corruption against the NHS are not victimless crimes – such activity diverts much-needed public funds into criminals’ pockets and away from patient care.

It is recognised that the existence of fraud and corruption threaten to prevent these funds from providing maximum benefit to patients.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside takes a robust response to these threats as reflected in our Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy and through developing an organisational culture that is intolerant of fraud, bribery and corruption.

Fraud is a criminal offence, as legislated by the Fraud Act 2006. The primary fraud offences (as outlined in our Policy) are:

• Section 2 – False representation
• Section 3 – Failing to disclose information
• Section 4 – Abuse of position

Fraud has to be a deliberate act; it is never a mistake, and involves:

• Person(s) acting dishonestly;
• With the intention to make a gain / cause a loss; and
• Fraud can relate to money or other property/ services.

Fraud can be linked to other offences, including but not limited to Computer Misuse, Conspiracy to Defraud, Proceeds of Crime, Theft, and Bribery.