Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the disestablishment of NHS Protect on fraud levels in the NHS.

On 1 November 2017 the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), a new fraud focused special health authority, took over responsibility for tackling fraud and corruption in the health service in England. This responsibility was previously held by NHS Protect, as a division within the NHS Business Services Authority. The NHSCFA has been created as a standalone body to provide the independence required to counter fraud and protect resources intended for patient care.

NHSCFA has existed in shadow form since April 2017 alongside NHS Protect to create a smooth transition of counter fraud operations and specialist fraud intelligence, investigation and prevention staff which are transferring to the new counter fraud body.

As the single expert, intelligence-led counter fraud organisation for the National Health Service, the NHSCFA will continue, and build on, the work begun by NHS Protect to identify, minimise and pursue fraud within the health service.