Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 January 2004. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the estimated cost to the NHS of timesheet fraud by agency staff was in each of the last six years.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS of timesheet fraud by agency staff was in each of the last six years. [147258] Mr. Hutton: Estimated figures of timesheet fraud by agency staff across the whole national health service are not available. The Counter Fraud and Security Management Service has, however, investigated cases of timesheet fraud committed by both bank and agency staff that have resulted in 33 criminal prosecutions. Information will be sent to the NHS in England and Wales on how to improve systems and stop the fraudulent practices.

Secondary information