NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is working on a plan to use predictive analytics preventing fraud through pharmacies.
The provider of central services to the NHS has begun to look for a private sector partner to help it develop a plan for creating reusable analytical models to identify any patterns and anomalies in pharmacy payments and prescribing activities.
The organisation has already completed a strategic review of its overall analytics capability and is aiming to build it up in an effort to cut down on fraud, error and waste in the NHS.
It has published a procurement notice indicating that it wishes to conclude the work by the end of March next year, although the contract would be set to run for two years to take in feedback from users and the development of further plans – such as using analytics with workforce data.
Its current approach to combating fraud involves randomised checks on prescription forms and claim forms for dental treatment to see if entitlements can be confirmed.
The initiative follows the announcement earlier in the year that NHSBSA was testing the use of machine learning with the aim of improving prescribing services, although it placed the emphasis on clinical and public health benefits.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
