GLOUCESTERSHIRE is leading the way in clamping down on fraud within the NHS.

The county’s Local Counter Fraud Service received the highest possible rating for its work in fighting fraud in 2008-09.

It has successfully investigated patients who fraudulently claimed for prescriptions, NHS staff claiming full sick pay while working elsewhere and several cases involving fraudulent time sheets and illegal insurance claims.

It is the second year running that the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) has awarded a top rating of four for the counter fraud work at 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Gloucestershire.

Local Counter Fraud specialist Sallie Cheung said: "We would like to thank staff for their willingness to help prevent individuals cheating the NHS out of valuable resources.

"This rating sends out a strong message to anyone thinking of defrauding the NHS that they will be caught and risk punishment through the courts."

Anyone who suspects a case of fraud in the NHS can contact the Local Counter Fraud Team on 01452 318842.