Human Resources Management to play crucial role in preventing NHS fraud, report claims

Solid and reliable employee management systems can play a key role in tackling fraud across the NHS, analysis carried out by accountancy experts Baker Tilly was able to reveal.

As part of their research, the group analysed data from more than 80 NHS organisations, finding that, in the year ending 31 March 2014, 20% of all the fraud cases referred to the professional services firm for investigation related to staff working for other organisations while on sick leave from the NHS.

Fraud costs the UK an estimated £52 billion every year according to the latest Annual Fraud Indicator, and the Audit Commission has estimated that the value of payroll fraud alone within the public sector to be around £335 million. Examples of payroll fraud include employees claiming overtime for hours not worked, false expense claims and unauthorised changes to an organisation's payroll system, such as an employee adding ghost employees who either do not exist or do not work for the organisation.

Hence, it shouldn't comes as much of a surprise that the main source of referrals were members of staff working in Human Resources departments who are playing a key role in efforts to tackle NHS fraud.

Advanced staffing, employee monitoring and time and attendance solutions play an important part in the overall management of hospitals. By sharing employee-related information across multiple units (hospitals) in an organization (NHS Trust), patients will benefit from greater consistency in care and healthcare organizations will realize improved staff engagement and a reduction in labor costs.

Additionally, time and attendance systems provide the data required for organizations to better manage both tactically as well as providing a future view of workforce requirements based on the strategic plans of the organization.

Last, but certainly not least, human resources modules implemented across T&A systems enabled HR departments to manage the available talent pool and keep employees engaged and satisfied by providing them with incentives that go beyond salary, such as continuing education and tuition assistance.

Tensor offers a comprehensive range of workforce monitoring and management options, that can be used by NHS trusts in order to staff at optimal levels, match roles with patient requirements, improve employee satisfaction and also elevate the overall level of care delivered.