ABOUT 50 NHS jobs in the North-East could be cut because of plans to close a dedicated fraud-busting unit, according to public sector union Unison.
The Prescription Payment Compliance Unit, based in Jesmond, Newcastle, is due to close as a result of a review that will see work devolved to local NHS trusts.
The unit is a section within the NHS's Counter Fraud and Security Management Service.
Its purpose is to identify patients fraudulently claiming exemption from prescription charges.
Unison said the unit had helped cut losses incurred by the NHS as a result of such fraud by £70m between 1998 and this year.
Regional officer Donald MacRae said the Government should intervene, adding: "This work was centralised to be more efficient and effective and the new plan to disperse the work to local health trusts will lead to higher levels of patient fraud."
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