Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption, Money Laundering and Economic Crimes Statement

Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption, Money Laundering and Economic Crimes Statement
The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) Group brings together Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and Northampton General Hospital (NGH). The Group is committed to eliminating fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering and other economic crimes within the NHS, protecting public resources for health and care.

Fraud is an act of deception that is intended to make a financial gain or to cause a loss to another party. Bribery is generally defined as the giving or receiving of a financial or other advantage in exchange for improperly performing a relevant function or activity.

The Group employs a specialist counter-fraud service to provide a comprehensive programme against fraud, bribery and corruption which is overseen by the Groups Chief Finance Officer and the Audit Committee.

The Group has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering and other economic crimes and is committed to applying the highest standards of ethical conduct and behaviour, as well as having robust controls in place to prevent incidents of economic crime being successful. As well as staff, the Group also expects its suppliers and contractors to adhere to the same high standards.

Our dedicated policies and procedures set out our expectations and guidance for staff, contractors and anyone else working with or for the Group with regards to preventing fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering and other economic crimes and raising concerns. This work is underpinned by the Groups Anti Fraud, Bribery, Corruption and Economic Crimes Policy.

We ask all who have dealings with the Trust, as employees, agency staff, trading partners (contractors/suppliers), stakeholders and patients, to help us in our fight against fraud, bribery and corruption and to contact us immediately if any concerns arise. No individual will suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting reasonably held suspicions. The success of the Group’s anti-fraud, bribery and corruption measures depends on everyone playing their part.  Please see further information see Welcome to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) public website | NHS Fraud? See it. Stop it. Report it.

We will uphold all laws relevant to countering bribery, corruption and economic crime, including those under the Bribery Act 2010, Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023 and the Fraud Act 2006 in respect of every aspect of our business. Fraud, Bribery and corruption under the Act are punishable for individuals by up to ten years’ imprisonment and if the Group found to have taken part in corruption we could face an unlimited fine and incalculable damage to our reputation. We therefore take our legal responsibilities very seriously. Any act of bribery undertaken by a member or an employee of the Group will result in disciplinary action and will be treated extremely seriously by the Board. We require that all contractors instructed by our organisation demonstrate a comparable commitment to bribery prevention in order to do business with us.

The Group contracts TIAA Ltd to provide it’s counter fraud service and you can contact our Counter Fraud Specialist, Victoria Dutton in confidence:

You can also speak externally to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority.  All genuine suspicion)ns of fraud, bribery, corruption, money laundering or other economic crimes can also be reported in confidence to the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on free phone 0800 0284060 or at online at Report NHS Fraud | NHSCFA.