The service has cut the amount of money lost to fraud

It will show that there has been a reduction in patients fraudulently claiming exemption from prescription charges.

The figure has fallen from �15m three years ago to �8m in 2002 and 2003.

The work was carried out by the Counter Fraud Service in Wales.

The report will include details of completed fraud investigations, and the amount of money which has been recovered and reinvested in the delivery of patient care.

Health Minister Jane Hutt said she was pleased with the progress that was being made.

"Every pound of the NHS budget is needed for improvements to NHS services to continue," she said.

"Patients need and deserve a NHS that they can be proud of.

"For the people of Wales to have a health service that meets their expectations we need not only to improve and to modernise but also to safeguard our resources for doctors, nurses, equipment and drugs."

The purpose of this charter is to reduce fraud and corruption to an absolute minimum within the shortest possible time Jim Gee

A Counter Fraud Charter has also been agreed with Unison in Wales.

It commits over 30,000 NHS staff in Wales to working with the Counter Fraud Service on practical action to counter fraud and corruption.

The chief executive of the CFS, Jim Gee, said he was pleased with the agreement.

"The purpose of this charter is to reduce fraud and corruption to an absolute minimum within the shortest possible time, free up resources for the best possible patient care and to maximise the confidence that the public has in NHS staff," he said.