Fraud, bribery and corruption statement

 

This Trust is committed to eliminating fraud and corruption within the NHS, freeing up public resources for better patient care. We do not tolerate fraud, bribery or corruption within the NHS. The aim is to eliminate all NHS fraud, bribery and corruption as far as possible.

To this end, the Trust engages a specialist counter-fraud service to provide a comprehensive programme against fraud and corruption which is overseen by the Trust’s Audit and Assurance Committee. This service is currently provided by Grant Thornton UK LLP.

It is a criminal offence to give, promise or offer a bribe, and to request, agree to receive, or accept a bribe. A bribe may take the form of any financial or other advantage to another person in order to induce a person to perform improperly.

Although the Bribery Act permits hospitality, all staff are required to consider on an individual basis whether accepting any hospitality offered is appropriate and should they then elect to take it, to record it via the Electronic Staff Record so that it has been fully disclosed. This process is set out within the Trust’s Standards of Business Conduct: Gifts, Hospitality, Sponsorship and Interests Policy.

It is also important that all of our contractors and agents comply with our policies and procedures.

When entering into contracts with organisations the Trust follows the NHS standard terms and conditions of contract for the purchase of goods and supplies. For more information see  NHS England » NHS terms and conditions for the procurement of goods and non-clinical services

We ask all who have dealings with the Trust, as employees, agents, trading partners, stakeholders and patients, to help us in our fight against fraud and corruption and to contact us immediately.

If you have any concerns or suspicions we need to know about, the Trust’s Nominated Counter Fraud Specialist can be contacted in confidence:

Gareth Robins

Counter Fraud Manager
Nominated Counter Fraud Specialist

·       By phone on 07747 261782

·       or by e-mail – Gareth.a.robins@uk.gt.com or g.robins@nhs.net

All genuine suspicions of fraud and corruption can also be reported to the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on free phone 0800 028 40 60, in strict confidence.

 

Andrew Rosser

Executive Director of Finance and Infrastructure (executive lead for counter fraud)