DORSET HealthCare is launching a new counter fraud and security management service called Secure.

The 10-strong team aims to prevent money being lost from the NHS through fraud and theft, while also protecting the safety of staff and patients.

Every year, millions of pounds are lost from the NHS through fraud, corruption and error.

Team leader Paddy Baker said: “We have a huge amount of combined experience in uncovering and prosecuting cases of fraud – one example involved a doctor who had defrauded the NHS of nearly £1million.

“On a smaller scale, we anticipate issuing about 900 penalty notices each year and all the money recovered from these lesser charges will go straight back into the Trust’s budget to be used for frontline patient care.”

Secure will also offer a range of services to protect NHS staff and the environment in which they work.

Mr Baker added: “We are also offering the same services to other regional NHS organisations, private health care companies, nursing homes, police forces, educational establishments and councils.”

For more information, email paddy.baker@dhuft.nhs.uk or visit secure.nhs.uk