Is your loved one or neighbour receiving safe care?

Help tackle healthcare fraud: report any suspicious situations

Unfortunately, the care sector is being exploited by criminals as a means of making money. This is at the expense of vulnerable people who need care and are not always able to recognise or report suspicious situations themselves. Reports from family, friends or neighbours are therefore vital in putting a stop to such abuses. Silvia works at the Social Services Hotline run by Apeldoorn Council. She explains to us the impact of crime and fraud in the care sector.

Trapped in a dangerous situation

“The reports that make the biggest impression are those from vulnerable residents who are truly stuck in a situation that feels unsafe to them,” says Silvia. “Like the report from Desi, who rang the council in utter despair. She was put through to me via our general number. Not everyone has their own safety net to fall back on when care is no longer available. Fortunately, with some effort, we managed to arrange another place for her. And, of course, the situation has been reported to the supervisory authorities.”

Different types of abuse

The vast majority of people working in the care sector do so with a big heart and are deeply committed to helping others. At the same time, however, various forms of crime and fraud unfortunately occur within the care sector. This happens in settings where people live in sheltered or supported accommodation, but also when support is provided at home. This concerns care provided under the Youth Act or the Social Support Act (Wmo).

An alert neighbour

Silvia talks about a Wmo case: “We received a report about Mert, a man with an intellectual disability who had been living independently with support for years, but was receiving little or no care. It came to light thanks to an alert neighbour who felt something wasn’t quite right. Care professionals had, in fact, stopped visiting her neighbour altogether. It also turned out that the man had never even seen the care plan drawn up for him, even though it is compulsory for a client to sign their care plan. This was a clear sign that something wasn’t right.” The subsequent investigation revealed that the man’s signature had been forged by the care provider.

Imposing help, putting people under pressure

The opposite can also happen: too much care is forced upon people. “If people’s intentions are primarily driven by money, they sometimes do everything they can to prevent care from stopping or being reduced,” says Silvia. “That was the case with Brian, for example, who really wanted to stop receiving support and try going it alone. But during the kitchen-table meeting with the local authority about his care assessment – at which the care worker also imposed themselves on the discussion – Brian was too anxious to raise the issue. The care worker wouldn’t hear of phasing out the support and had put pressure on him to maintain his care hours. Fortunately, his wish eventually came to light through his mother.”

You’re always welcome to switch or discuss matters

The same thing can happen if a resident indicates that they wish to switch to another provider. Or simply indicates that they wish to share certain questions or concerns with the local authority. If such a communication leads to a provider making threats and putting pressure on people not to do something, that is a clear sign that the situation is not right. Silvia: “Because people receiving care through the local authority always have the right to approach the local authority themselves and enter into dialogue. This never requires permission from a care provider.”

Safe healthcare for everyone

Anyone who needs help must be able to count on good care, expert knowledge and genuine attention. That is the most important thing of all. Furthermore, healthcare fraud also costs society a great deal of money. And you might think, ‘That’s public money’, but everyone contributes to it through their taxes.

“We have a statutory duty to monitor the quality and legitimacy of the support that residents receive under the Social Support Act (Wmo) and the Youth Act,” explains Silvia.

Research

Regulatory authorities investigate whether the care provided is of a high standard and whether everything is being carried out in accordance with the rules. They do this, for example, as a preventative measure, by carrying out spot checks. In addition, an investigation is always launched as soon as reports of malpractice at a care provider are received.

^{The names in this article have been changed for privacy reasons}.