A team of researchers from Northumbria, Cardiff and Manchester universities has been awarded almost £900,000 the NIHR to lead the SCAN: Strengthening Counter Fraud across the NHS in England study.

The team will examine how counter-fraud measures are delivered in the NHS across England and look for ways to make them more effective.

Researchers will work closely with policymakers, fraud experts, and NHS staff to analyse policies, training programmes, and operational practices. Through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, the team will identify best practices and areas where improvements can be made. The findings will be used to co-develop practical recommendations, training resources, and tools to enhance fraud prevention and response.

In addition, the team is ensuring the public and NHS workforce are heavily involved in shaping solutions. A Public Stakeholder Advisory Group will ensure that the recommendations align with public and workforce needs.

Dr Cerian Griffiths of Northumbria Law School, who co-leads SCAN, said: ‘Every pound lost to fraud is a pound that could have been spent on patient care.

‘By improving counter-fraud strategies, we aim to help the NHS protect its resources and strengthen public confidence in the system.'

Professor Tim Rapley of Northumbria's Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, added: 'Engaging NHS staff and the public in this research ensures that our recommendations are practical and effective. By working together, we can build a more robust system to prevent fraud and protect NHS resources.'

The SCAN project has been welcomed by many leading figures working in the NHS and government agencies.

Alex Rothwell, chief executive of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, said: ‘We recognise the value of academic study, which brings information and specialists from diverse disciplines and organisations together.  The counter fraud landscape is complicated and fresh perspectives and transparency is welcomed.'

Lisa McAlister, counter fraud manager at NHS Business Services Authority, added: ‘This is a much-needed project at a time when NHS budgets are stretched more than ever. SCAN has great potential to bolster counter fraud efforts, and save public money lost to fraud and error.'

Sean McNabb, director of cartels at the Competition and Markets Authority, said: ‘Tackling fraud in the NHS and in other parts of the public sector has never been more important and this vital research should help ensure that those responsible for spending public funds are more alert to the risk of fraud and better equipped to combat it.'

The findings from the study, which runs until autumn 2027, will be shared widely with policymakers, NHS leaders, and fraud prevention experts through reports and conferences.