How do public bodies with different remits, systems and priorities work together to tackle fraud, and what gets in the way? That question is at the centre of SCAN (Strengthening Counter Fraud Across the NHS in England), and it was a recurring theme at the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) annual conference, held in Leeds at the end of September. SCAN’s Co-Principal Investigator, Dr Cerian Griffiths, took part in the programme as a panellist, sharing SCAN’s findings with an audience of counter fraud professionals from across the sector.
More than 250 members of the GCFP attended, and the programme showcased counter fraud work from across the public sector. Nick Tomlinson, Deputy Director, Building Counter Fraud Capability at the PSFA, opened the day by setting a tone of celebration, collaboration and reflection. Presentations and interactive activities followed, covering case studies from across the sector, examples of cross-body cooperation, the threats and potential of Artificial Intelligence, the challenges of creating counter fraud cultures, and developments in fraud control.
One session illustrated the breadth of the work particularly well. Andrew Watson and Amanda Roberts of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) described introducing a counter fraud policy into an organisation working at pace. The IBCA has more than £11 billion to protect from fraud. Large sums intended for deserving recipients are attractive to fraudsters, so rigorous controls are essential. At the same time, many of those affected by the infected blood scandal have waited decades for compensation and some have little time left, so the IBCA aims to release funds quickly without placing excessive burdens on victims. The session showed how counter fraud controls and a compassionate, victim-centred culture can be designed to work together.
Later in the day, Dr Griffiths joined a panel with members of City of London Police, the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, the Insolvency Service and the Public Sector Fraud Authority. Together with the wider audience, they discussed data sharing across public bodies, the continuing challenge of developing counter fraud cultures within institutions, and the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence. These are difficult subjects, but the discussion pointed towards some practical routes forward.
There was broad agreement that better data sharing between public bodies would help both to identify and to respond to fraud. Dr Griffiths shared some of SCAN’s findings on data sharing, including the importance of identifying and communicating the purposes of sharing early in discussions between bodies. SCAN’s findings on counter fraud culture also resonated with other panel members and the audience, particularly the importance of articulating the wider harms of fraud beyond the financial. These include
reputational harm and, in the health sector, the threat to health and wellbeing. There was agreement that the consequences of fraud reach further than many colleagues in other parts of public bodies appreciate.
Attendees left with plenty to reflect on and more conversations to be had. Some of those will continue at the SCAN project’s New Conversations in Counter Fraud across the Public Sector event on 21 January 2027. Practitioners, policymakers and researchers from across the public sector and higher education are invited to discuss current challenges, emerging risks and innovative approaches, test new ideas against frontline experience, share learning across sectors and build professional relationships that continue beyond the event.
To submit a proposal, please email scan@northumbria.ac.uk.
To register to attend, Click HERE
To discuss ideas informally or ask questions, please contact Dr Cerian Griffiths at cerian.griffiths@northumbria.ac.uk.
Event information
New Conversations in Counter Fraud across the Public Sector
Date: 21 January 2027
Time: 09:30 to 17:00, with drinks reception to follow
Location: The Great Hall, Sutherland Building, Northumbria University, NE1 8ST
*This project is funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (NIHR159714). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.