Bradford Trust Today May 10 - Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS ...

THE CROAKIESENT/Eye and Maxillofacial Theatres BRIstaff raised £407 for ‘The Croakies’head and neck cancer support groupduring a raffle.In previous years, staff have raised moneyfor other cancer services but this year itwas the turn of ‘The Croakies’ to benefitfrom fundraising.The money was handed over by sisterDiane Wood and theatre clerk, LindaSanderson, at a recent meeting to helpfund a summer social outing for patientsand carers.Sister Diane Wood said: “The Croakieswere overwhelmed at receiving thisgenerous donation and were extremelygrateful for all the staff’s hard work inraising this money.”‘The Croakies’ meet on the second FridayNEW YEAR’SHONOUR FORSLH’S FINESTLaura Mitchell,consultantorthodontistand clinical lead atSt Luke’s Hospital,has been awardedan MBE in the NewYear Honours Listfor her services tohealthcare.Laura, whohas worked atthe Trust since1995, co-wrotethe OxfordHandbook of Clinical Dentistry with herhusband David, who is a consultant atPinderfields.The book, which was published last year,has been translated into nine differentlanguages, selling more than 100,000copies.Laura is due to collect her award atBuckingham Palace on July 9 and will beaccompanied by her father, Ronald Elliott,and husband David.of the month at the Bradford CancerSupport centre near the BRI Smith Laneentrance. Anyone who has undergone, orcurrently having, treatment for head andneck cancer including relatives or carers,are welcome to come and join the groupfrom 12.00– 14.30hrs.Nurse specialists, Sarah Cost and CarolineCRACKING DOWN ON FRAUDThe Foundation Trust has stepped upits fight against fraud with a newappointment.Michael Walters has recently taken overfrom Shaun Benn as the local counterfraud specialist.Michael is the Trust’s central point ofcontact on anything related to fraud.In particular, over the coming year hewill be raising awareness of fraud issuesthroughout the hospitals, explaining howstaff can prevent it from happening andhow we can detect it when it occurs.“Fraud is a problem throughout theNHS and everyone has a role to play instamping it out,” said Michael. “Wemust ensure that valuable NHS resourcesare used where they are intended - onproviding excellent patient care andservices.”There have been over 500 criminalprosecutions since 1998 in the NHSand during 2008-09 alone there werealso 500 civil and disciplinary sanctionsapplied to a range of fraudulentbehaviour across the NHS.Common types of NHS fraud include:-■ Employees working elsewhere whilston paid sick leave, altering timesheetsor submitting false expenses claims;Diane & Linda from ENT/Eye and Maxillofacial Theatres donatingthe money to ‘The Croakies’■ Candidates supplying false informationor documentation during therecruitment process;Salt, as well as dietitian, Lucy Taylor, andspeech and language therapists, NicolaVerity and Sarah Jordan also attend thesesessions.For further information please visitwww.thecroakies.org.uk or call 01274365848.■ Patients claiming travel expenses notincurred, or claiming exemption fromthe cost of prescriptions when not toentitled to do so; and■ Suppliers double invoicing the NHS,or charging for goods or services notactually provided.“The good news is that over £800 millionof NHS money has been saved over thelast 10 years through counter fraudactivity,” added Michael.Michael is also the only person allowed toinvestigate fraud internally. Please contacthim, in the strictest confidence, if youwish to report any suspicions of fraudagainst the Foundation Trust.Michael Walters - 01924 816098, 07771390557, email michael.walters@nhs.netNational Fraud and Corruption ReportingLine 0800 028 40 60Remember thatwe all needto show zerotolerance tofraud if it is tobe stopped.4 Trust Today | May 2010