Case Studies

Crimestoppers deal with NHS Scotland

by Mark Rowe

The 0800 crime reporting line Crimestoppers has extended its contract with NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services (CFS) for another two years. This follows an initial six month pilot that covered wrongdoing in the workplace. Besides the anonymous information giving service, Crimestoppers provides a dedicated reporting service available to the public and private sectors.

Crimestoppers will host the online reporting function of the CFS website, besides the dedicated number that allows people to call with anonymous information at 08000 15 16 28. This service is available to NHS Scotland, 24-7, and is delivered by call agents who deal with any matters relating to financial wrongdoing in the workplace.

Call agents also receive training which includes direct input by clients to help create familiarity with their business, to ensure the most detailed interviews take place for every phone call.

Crimestoppers Commercial Manager, Kate Johnston, said: “Along with protecting the identity of the public who give us information, client security is paramount to us at Crimestoppers. We are thrilled to be able to extend our partnership with the NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services and are confident that the service will continue to be an asset to the organisation. We are happy to also be able to offer them information routing via our anonymous online form as well as through our reporting line to ensure that it is as easy as possible for information to be passed to us securely.”

Gordon Young, Head of NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services, added: “Much of the feedback CFS receives from staff working within the health service in Scotland relates to their wariness and general reluctance to report anything suspicious, either face-to-face to another NHS colleague or, when using a method of communication within the NHS domain. This is on the grounds of them wishing to remain anonymous. I feel that the aforementioned development in our working relationship with Crimestoppers is a significant step forward in addressing these concerns.

“Crimestoppers are market leaders in this area and their record on maintaining the callers’ anonymity is unsurpassed. This, combined with their professional approach to call handling, is a highly attractive proposition to us.”

About the line

In 2005, Crimestoppers received a call about the fraudulent actions of a corrupt employee within a bank. An enquiry took place between the bank and police and almost £500,000 was recovered, with the employee receiving a substantial prison sentence. Crimestoppers was encouraged to set up a separate ‘whistle-blowing’ service aimed at organisations. Known as the Integrity Line, owned and operated by Crimestoppers, the service is there for employees to pass on information about wrongdoing at work.

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