As part of a more comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding, the NHS Counter Fraud Service and the General Medical
Council today agreed to share information relating to suspected fake and fraudulent doctors. The agreement means that the NHS
CFS and the GMC will be better able to protect NHS resources from fraud and ensure that patients are properly safeguarded.
Signed today by Jim Gee, Chief Executive of the NHS CFS, and Finlay Scott, Chief Executive of the GMC, the agreement
demonstrates their commitment to closer working and opens up wider communication channels between the two organisations.
Relevant information held by both parties will be disclosed, within the constraints of the Data Protection Act and Human
Rights Act, and used to strengthen investigations.
Jim Gee, Chief Executive of the NHS Counter Fraud Service:
"As the world expands, and it becomes easier for those entering the UK to obtain work, NHS systems and medical regulatory
procedures must expand with it. Today's agreement means information relating to suspicions of fraud can be shared and the
necessary action taken immediately.
Both the NHS CFS and the GMC are committed to seeing NHS resources reach their intended target and patients receive quality
care from qualified doctors.
The NHS CFS are working on similar agreements with other regulatory bodies, including the General Dental Council."
Finlay Scott, Chief Executive of the GMC said:
"This agreement facilitates the exchange of information necessary to safeguard patients and to protect the NHS from fake or
fraudulent doctors. We are delighted to be strengthening our already successful relationship with NHS CFS in this way.
We are committed to working with the NHS CFS and other partners to ensure clearer standards and stronger safeguards, which
together will improve patient safety and enhance the quality of healthcare."
Other benefits of the agreement include:
-- Sharing of expertise and experience in the development of effective investigative methods;
-- Opportunities to discuss allegations against individual doctors and policy developments at the NHS CFS and GMC;
This agreement follows the high profile case of Barian Baluchi, an Iranian-born asylum seeker, who was sentenced to 10 years
imprisonment on Wednesday 26 January 2005 at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court for impersonating a doctor and defrauding the
taxpayer and charities of and estimated £1.2 million. The sentence followed a joint-investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud
Service and the Metropolitan Police.
Notes to Editors
1. Omid Amidi Mazahri was sentenced to two years imprisonment on 3 March 2005 at Southwark Crown Court for impersonating
a dentist and undertaking dental work at surgeries across South London. Between March 2002 and June 2003 it is estimated that
Mr Amidi-Mazahri treated at least 600 patients at his partner's - Ms Mojhan Azari - surgeries in Norbury and Tulse Hill. She
was jailed for 12 months for falsifying claims and allowing Mr Amidi-Mazahri to work at her surgeries.
2. The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) is part of the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS). It was
established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS, whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or
contractors and to create a lasting anti-fraud culture within the health service.
3. Similar Memorandum of Understandings have been signed with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Inland
Revenue and the Audit Commission.
4. More than 400 professionally trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are now in place covering every
health body in England and Wales. They are supported by the national and regional Counter Fraud and Security Management
Service (CFSMS).
5. Between 1999 and 2004, counter fraud work cut pharmaceutical patient fraud by 60%, dental patient fraud by 25%,
optical patient fraud by 23% and, in some areas, fraud by NHS professionals by 31 - 46%. Fraud detection rates have improved
by more than 1400% and there is a 97% successful prosecution rate.
6. Counter fraud measures have produced a financial benefit to the NHS of over £671 million since 1999.
7. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 08702
400 100.
8. For further information please contact Darren Aldrich at the NHS CFSMS press office on 020 7895 4523/07789 653263 or
Stephanie McNamara at the General Medical Council on 020 7189 5454. Further information on the NHS CFSMS can be found at cfsms.nhs. Further information on the GMC can be found at gmc-uk