JanW
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Published in April 2012 by DWP. I think this is the tip of the iceburg.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith said:
“We are determined to clamp down on benefit fraud abroad, which cost the British taxpayer around £43 million last year. This money should be going to the people who need it most and not lining the pockets of criminals sunning themselves overseas.
“The vast majority of British people overseas are law abiding, but fraudulently claiming benefits while living abroad is a crime and we are committed to putting a stop to it.”
Since its launch in 2008, over 750 calls to the Spanish hotline have resulted in criminal investigations by fraud investigators in the UK and over 100 people have been sanctioned or prosecuted. 134 cases are currently being investigated and £3.1 million in benefit over payments have been identified and will be reclaimed.
The small Pensions, Benefit & Healthcare team based in Spain provide support to the estimated 1million Britons living there. They work with the Spanish Authorities on behalf of the DWP and Department of Health to prevent and detect benefit fraud, ensure correct access to the Spanish healthcare system, and combat misuse of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
They prevent fraud by making sure British people living in Spain understand and follow the country’s systems and understand the strict rules on what they are and are not able to claim. The team support the work of fraud investigators in the UK by gathering intelligence on suspected benefit thieves and by overseeing the Spanish benefit fraud hotline.
If anyone want to appeal to the Health Minister they can email [email protected]
It looks like she has the final say. I am not sure how much authority the Community Health Council has over Betsi but as the patients watchdog I hope it has some clout. Maybe then some if not all the planned changes are avoidable.
I think Lesley Griffiths has the final say if Betsi and the Community Health Council are at loggerheads.
Lets hope the Community Health Council do not ratify the proposals and it goes to the Health Minister.
The meeting went ahead and it’s not good news.
BBC News – NHS Wales: Betsi Cadwaladr confirms plans to close three hospitalsIf anyone was thinking of attending the meeting it might be best to check the website before setting off. An extract from the site says:
We are closely monitoring the weather forecast and if there needs to be a cancellation or postponement* then we will do all we can to let people know via the website, e-mail and telephone.
*The parking charges are a bit steep. I tend to park in the small car park by the church as it’s cheaper and an added benefit is a bit of a walk to EM.
