BELB 'Fraud' Inquiry

Northern Ireland Audit Office did not have the information requested.

Dear Northern Ireland Audit Office,

The CSA's website states that their Counter-Fraud Unit has a dual remit:-

Tackling fraudulent claims to exemption from Health Services charges; and

Investigating cases of potential or suspected fraud involving practitioners.

As their 'investigation' into 'fraud' within the BELB falls into neither category, I wish to make an FoI request to establish by which legislation you accepted their 'investigation', as they clearly exceeded their remit, thus casting doubt on all of their skewed 'findings', and making their investigation illegal under the proper law of this land.

Yours faithfully,

Howard Ingram

Please be advised, as outlined by the terms on which this request for information is made, that this 'investigation' by yourselves and other government agencies is being discussed at http://totalitariania.blogspot.com/

Connelly N, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Dear Mr Ingram,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 4 March 2010. I am dealing with your
request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I will
reply to you as soon as possible bu no later than 20 working days after
the date your e-mail was received, that is no later than 2 April
2010-03-04

Yours sincerely

Norma Connelly

Any views expressed by the sender of this message are not necessarily those of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The information contained in the email, and any files transmitted with it, is intended only for the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Such information may be confidential or privileged, and no mistake in transmission is intended to waive or compromise such privilege. If you have received the email in error, please notify the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your email software.

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Connelly N, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Dear Mr Ingram,

I refer to your e-mail dated 3 March 2010.

The remit of the Counter Fraud Unit to operate within the Health Service
in Northern Ireland is defined by formal directions issued by the
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. This does not
preclude the Counter Fraud Unit from undertaking investigations, when
requested to do so, outside the Health Service.

In undertaking formal fraud investigations, whether within the Health
Service or elsewhere, the Counter Fraud Unit adheres to the requirements
of the Police and Criminal Evidence (NI) Order 1989 and the Associated
Codes of Practice.

If you feel that the information we have provided does not fully meet your
request please contact us at 028 9025 1068 in the first instance. You have
the right to request a formal review by NIAO and if you wish to do so,
please write to:

The Complaints Co-ordinator,

The Northern Ireland Audit Office,

106 University Street,

BELFAST, BT7 1EU.

If after such an internal review you are still unhappy with the response,
you have the right to appeal to the:

Information Commissioner,

Wycliffe House,

Water Lane,

Wilmslow,

CHESHIRE SK9 5AF, who will undertake an independent review.

Yours sincerely

Norma Connelly

Information Manager

Any views expressed by the sender of this message are not necessarily those of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The information contained in the email, and any files transmitted with it, is intended only for the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. Such information may be confidential or privileged, and no mistake in transmission is intended to waive or compromise such privilege. If you have received the email in error, please notify the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your email software.

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Howard Ingram left an annotation ()

Incredible. Compare and contrast the two responses and you'd almost believe they colluded in providing the exact same response, both fail to answer a very simple question regarding specific legislation, and then both provide information NOT requested, regarding 'adherence to standards'.