Fraud enquiry - update

[Fennella02]

Hi there

This is an update for all those who gave me such sound advice last week following receipt of a curious letter involving the NHS Fraud Investigation Dept and my 9 year old son.

I spoke to my practice manager before responding and he made all the relevant enquiries before confirming that the letter was indeed genuine. The Fraud Manager I spoke to told me that this is an unusual case which is why no-one else on the forum seems to have come across it. She has asked for my discretion so I can't say a great deal but it involves the information on a referral letter from one department to another being used by a Health Care Professional to contact me at home to promote the services of his/her private business. I can quite see, with the benefit of hindsight, how improper this is. Ironically, this approach has reduced substantial waiting times for both them and us and financial burden on the NHS for this particular dept.

Anyway, I answered the questions and I suspect this case will go the distance with formal witness statements and very possibly legal action. I did utilise the private services offered which I am within my rights to do but it is the use of NHS confidential information that is in question here.

Thanks so much for all the tips. Clare x

[Jessy11]

Clare, glad to hear your letter was genuine. There are too many scams going around that everyone must be so vigilant.

Hope it all gets cleared up & doesn't cause you to much inconvenience.

Keep well 💐

[Hidden]

Wow all this cloak and dagger. I am glad you followed it up, using details supplied confidentially and an employee using those to contact you is absolutely bang out of order and is gross misconduct. They deserve everything that is coming to them. Well done. x

[Fennella02 in reply to Hidden]

You're right. The more I think about it, the more I see how far- reaching the implications could be. I received a phone call from said person offering me 3 options: wait 9 - 12 months for an NHS appt, go on the cancellation list or book in with this person for private assessment. This assessment would be in one of the clinic rooms of my local hospital, would be within a week or two, written report that very day and the cost was reasonable. It seemed like a no-brainer in order to sort things out asap for my youngest son and ease the burden on the NHS at the same time. It was all very professional when we attended, we checked in at the main dept desk as you would normally. The only thing different was the handing over of money and his hospital notes were absent. . . .

[Hidden in reply to Fennella02]

Must have been a doctor then. x

[velvet55]

Hi Clare

what a bl***y cheek !!...Rant... Rant.

I hope they get the book thrown at them.

Thanks for your update.

Velvet xx

[Fennella02 in reply to velvet55]

Hi Velvet. I've explained the situation in my reply to Coughalot. You'll perhaps understand why it's not so cut and dry although I do think they will make an example of this person.

Best wishes. Clare x

[katieoxo60]

Thanks for up date Clare, it would from one point of view be a serious matter ie misuse of personal data. But it has it's good outcome too further options for other treatment resulting in savings to the NHS budget. x

[Offcut]

Enterprising but wrong.

[Fennella02 in reply to Offcut]

I agree entirely.

[JonathanPittsCrick]

Obviously it was wrong but it's typical that in the NHS this apparently win/win solution for all concerned will result in thousands of pounds worth of official enquiry and disciplinary procedures. It would be so much better IMHO if someone in charge just said "Don't do it again" and spent the money on improving the service instead.

Maybe the person or people involved could be invited to do the extra clinic for free for a year instead of losing their job...

[peege]

Isn't this all due to the recent change in sharing of our medical records.

When it first came up I formerly wrote to my GP practice to 'opt out' of the sharing process which is what we were advised to do then (in 2013 or 2014, I can't remember).

Recently I've moved town.

On joining the new GP practice there was a printed form for me to sign to ensure my medical records and personal information isn't shared with 3rd parties.