January 2012 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBAC (12/11) 068
Mrs Hunjan asked that the Counter Fraud newsletter be circulated to the
Non Executive Directors via Mr Grainger‐Payne.
The detail of the live cases was discussed. In terms of the case involving
safeguarding issues, Dr Sahota asked whether the matter should have been
referred to the Police. Mr Westwood advised that the case had been
handled internally but agreed to check whether Police involvement would
have been appropriate.
ACTION:
ACTION:
Mr Westwood to send Mr Grainger‐Payne a copy of the
Counter Fraud newsletter for circulation to Non Executive
Directors
Mr Westwood to determine whether Police intervention
was appropriate for similar cases to that of 2011‐02 in
future
5.6 2010/11 CFSMS qualitative assessment results
SWBAC (12/11) 066
SWBAC (12/11) 066 (a)
Mr Westwood advised that the outcome of the CFSMS assessment was an
award of Level 2, an identical result to that of the previous year. It was
noted however that the report presented a more positive picture of the
Counter Fraud work in the Trust. The results of the staff survey were
observed to be particularly encouraging. It was highlighted that the correct
reporting mechanisms for suspected fraud cases needed to be reinforced.
Mrs Hunjan asked whether the assessment being undertaken in future
years by NHS Protect would be changing. Mr Westwood advised that the
proposals to roll out a new form of assessment would be piloted in the
forthcoming year, meaning that a formal evaluation was not planned for
2011/12.
An update on the delivery of the CFSMS qualitative assessment action plan
was promised for the next meeting.
Dr Sahota noted that the reporting culture for suspected Counter Fraud
cases was important and asked whether work had been undertaken with
the Chief Nurse to access means by which nursing staff could be made
aware of the appropriate reporting mechanisms. Mr Westwood advised
that the opportunity was taken to promote Counter Fraud work through
existing fora at present. Mrs Hunjan suggested that Counter Fraud could be
included within the ward assessment tool. Mr White agreed that this was a
possibility, however advised that given the current priorities around
privacy, dignity and nutrition, the timing of this needed to be considered.
He agreed to discuss the matter with Rachel Overfield.
ACTION:
Mr White to discuss the possibility of including
Counter Fraud matters within the ward assessment tool
with Miss Overfield
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