Prescription fraud is a problem for the NHS

It has been estimated that fraud costs the Scottish service millions of pounds every year.

Anti-corruption officers have been tasked with touring hospitals and clinics across the country urging staff to blow the whistle on malpractice.

Employees have been urged to report dishonesty on a confidential helpline - 08000 15 16 28 .

Officials said they hoped the campaign would act as a deterrent to those tempted to defraud the NHS.

Examples of fraud include:

• False prescriptions

• Patients claiming exemptions from charges they were not entitled to

• Claims by dentists and pharmacists for work not carried out

• Pharmacists falsifying and altering prescriptions

• Use of NHS premises for private practice

• Optometrists claiming for two pairs of glasses when only one was provided.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said swindling the NHS was the hidden disease, draining funds from frontline patient services.

Officials at the NHS Counter Fraud Office - set up five years ago - claimed they have so far saved more than �10m in Scotland, but it was thought the problem was much greater.

The agency stressed its role was more about prevention than catching people red-handed.

Ministers declared last year they were pleased with the performance of the body in scrutinising family healthcare and wanted to extend its work.