The move to a modern protective security culture is outlined by Nick van der Bijl, Trust security manager, North Bristol NHS Trust. The International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE) assisted with the commissioning of this article.
Since 1948 the National Health Service subscribed to the Home Office assessment that: “For some strange reason, people, staff and visitors seem to think that because hospitals are caring places, they are somehow immune from the effects of local crime and the ills of society”.
Although Sir David was referring principally to crime, it also rather proved that employing second rate security officers or buying a cheap CCTV system at the lowest possible price is a far cry from investing effective time and resources aimed at protecting patients and staff, assets and information while maintaining the reputation of the NHS.
Counter Fraud Service
The establishment in 1997 by the new Labour Secretary of State for Health Frank Dobson of the Counter Fraud Service (CFS) was a very important initiative to tackle the fraud and corruption known to exist throughout health services. Between 1999 and 2003 the impact of the CFS and benefit to the NHS was £478 million from those engaged in fraud. A PCT chief executive has served a jail sentence for fraudulently claiming £40,000 travel expenses; a consultant who convinced NHS patients to pay for private treatment has been dismissed; and a dentist has repaid the NHS £1.15 million.
Achieving a 97% successful prosecution rate, the CFS is performing better than any other protection agency in the UK including the Police and the Serious Fraud Office. There can be no question that the organisation has made significant inroads into protecting public money.
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