The (to use the Government’s phrase) NHS fraud supremo is moving on after eight years.
Jim Gee is the new Director of Fraud Services at KPMG. At the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service he is succeeded by his deputy Steve Phillips.<br><br>Jim Gee said: “After some great years at the NHS, I am really looking forward to working with private companies to help them in the battle against fraud. It is often assumed that best practice arises in the private sector and then needs to be transferred to the public sector. However, I believe that there are many great things happening in the public sector that private companies can learn from. Some of the measures implemented in the NHS could very usefully be applied in the outside commercial world too.”<br><br>KPMG Forensic is, the audit firm says, a rapidly expanding part of the firm, as fraud prevention and detection become increasingly high priorities for companies of all kinds and sizes. Revenue grew by 33pc in the financial year to September 2006, while headcount expanded by a quarter.<br><br>What they say<br><br>Alex Plavsic, partner at KPMG Forensic, said: “We continue to grow rapidly as forensic services remain in high demand. We are delighted to welcome Jim to the team. With his established track record in combating fraud, and his high profile role in the public sector, he will bring valuable new perspectives that our clients could benefit from significantly.” <br><br>The Department of Health has hailed success in tackling NHS fraud. The department says it has meant an extra £811 m has been spent on patient care in over the last seven years, and represents a 12:1 return on the budgetary investment in counter fraud work. <br><br>The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) Performance Statistics for 1999-2006 show that fraud committed by patients has fallen by 55 per cent from &#163;171 m in 1998 to &#163;76 m in 2006. <br><br>Other statistics include: <br><br>Fraud by NHS professionals falling by up to 60pc in key areas <br><br>A total of 360 prosecutions and 434 civil and disciplinary sanctions <br><br>A 96pc successful prosecution rate <br><br>More than 500 trained and accredited counter fraud specialists in place. Jim Gee also led a successful civil action which recovered more than &#163;30 m from a number of generic drug companies – the largest ever civil recovery involving the NHS. <br><br>While the service’s figures are impressively upward, the CFSMS was starting from the NHS’ low base. The performance statistics for 1999 to 2006 show that the number of cases of ‘potential fraud detected and investigated’ reached a high of 518 in 2001-2 and has since fallen, to 272 in 2005-6, the most recent year with figures. As for the high percentage success rate in prosecutions, it is for a relatively low number of cases compared with the size of the National Health Service – 68 prosecutions in 2005-6, compared with even fewer, 56, the year before. In its eight years, the CFSMS has managed only 434 ‘civil and disciplinary sanctions’. <br><br>Since April 2006, the CFSMS has been a division of the NHS Business Services Authority. <br><br>About new head<br><br>Steve Phillips joined the Department of Health counter fraud unit at its start in September 1998. His background in fraud and security management was in the then Department of Social Security, where he worked from 1988. He worked on the development of the new European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network and was a member of the working group of the recent government Fraud Review. He has a MSc in security management from Leicester University.<br><br>At the CFSMS, acting head of operations is Allan Carter, former head of Merseyside Police’s fraud squad; and head of security management is Richard Hampton, a former Charity Commissioner investigator who was project manager for the creation of the CFSMS.
What they say
Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "Fraud is not a victimless crime. In respect of the NHS, it is patients who are losing out, which is why this success is so important. With less money being lost, more money is reaching the frontline. Tackling NHS fraud is a real success under this Government and the results are a testament to Jim Gee and the NHS Counter Fraud Service. But it does not mean we can rest on our laurels. Whilst fraud still exists in the NHS, we must continue to prevent, detect and punish these crimes."
Jim Gee said: "I have hugely enjoyed my time working with the NHS. I have been lucky to have excellent staff, expert advisors and great executive and political support. It is very satisfying to see hundreds of millions of pounds freed up for patient care. We implemented a comprehensive, integrated and professional approach and it has paid dividends. I would like to thank those NHS staff, patients and stakeholders who have given us tremendous support over the last eight years. I am confident this support will continue."
And Richard Douglas, Director of Finance and Investment at the Department of Health, added: "Jim has done an excellent job in helping to protect the public purse and through this ensuring resources are used for the purposes intended – better patient care. Although he will be missed he leaves behind him the highly professional organisation he created which will undoubtedly continue his good work."
