Two leading criminologists from The University of Manchester are playing a key role in a groundbreaking national research project designed to tackle fraud in the NHS, which costs the UK taxpayer an estimated £1.3 billion each year.
Project SCAN brings together experts to fight fraud
The initiative, known as Project SCAN (Strengthening Counter-Fraud Across the NHS in England), is led by Northumbria University and brings together experts from across the UK to improve understanding and responses to fraud within the health service.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the 32-month study will generate robust evidence on the nature and organisation of counter-fraud strategies in the NHS in England, and how these strategies can be strengthened.
It will explore multiple dimensions of fraud risk in the NHS, from procurement and payroll to patient identity and prescription fraud. It will also look at how data and technology can support prevention efforts and how public sector institutions can be better equipped to respond to emerging threats.
The project will involve collaboration with NHS bodies, frontline counter-fraud professionals and other academic partners across the UK. Results will be disseminated through public reports, practitioner briefings, academic publications, and policy engagement events.
By generating evidence-based recommendations, Project SCAN aims to inform national policy and practice, ultimately helping to safeguard public money and ensure NHS services remain sustainable and fair for all.
Manchester criminology professors are part of the team
Manchester’s Professor Nicholas Lord and Dr Katie Benson, both from the University’s Department of Criminology, have previously led and contributed to high-profile studies into economic and white-collar crime, working with varied public and private organisations. In Project SCAN they will focus on the practical delivery of local counter fraud provision across NHS organisations.
Professor Lord says:
Fraud in the NHS not only drains vital resources but also undermines public trust and the quality of care. We will examine the everyday realities of local counter fraud provision, looking at how services are delivered, where gaps or opportunities exist, and how expertise and resources are deployed. By understanding these frontline practices, we aim to help strengthen the counter-fraud response and counter-fraud system that protects both NHS budgets and patient care.
Dr Benson adds:
Understanding how counter fraud work is carried out is important for improving its effectiveness. Our research will better understand the experiences of those delivering these services, identifying what challenges they face and what support they need. This insight is vital for shaping a more strategic and joined-up approach to tackling fraud across the NHS.
A press release by Joe Stafford, News and Media Relations Officer.
