According to official figures, there has been a rise in the number of fraud cases investigated in the NHS as a 37 percent rise has been seen in the last three years.

In 2007 to 2008 there were 351 cases of potential fraud according to NHS Counter Fraud Service figures and it was 415 in 2008 to 2009 and there was a further increase when these cases reached to 482 in 2009 to 2010.

In NHS, there was an improved awareness of fraud, according to a service spokeswoman and also how to report it.

There were various problems like staff claims and unpaid prescriptions for shifts not worked.

In 2007 to 2008 the value of fraud and unlawful action identified was £4.1m and this amount was £16.2 in 2008 to 2009 and in 2009 to 2010 it was £10.9.

Timesheet fraud was the recurrent kind of fraud happening, the organization said and this fraud is related to staff and professionals claiming money for unworked shifts and there have been cases of people taking sick leaves and doing unauthorized jobs.

The spokeswoman said, "There are a number of possible explanations for the rise in fraud cases over the last three years. One of these is that fraud has indeed risen."