With the Waikato District Health Board having uncovered fraud and theft valued at a monstrous $400,000, in investigations spread over the past two years, it has decided to set up an anti-fraud phone hotline to trace those who have been practically ripping the health service system.

The mammoth swindling was a multifarious operation that included thefts on various accounts during the past 18 months. These included the theft of food from the hospital's kitchen; mobile phones' larceny; theft of drugs by cleaners and nurses; unauthorized fuel card use by employees; and overcharging an electrical contractor by as much as $150,000!

Talking about the anti-fraud hotline that has been introduced, the health board CEO Clive Climo said that the confidential phone line would be available to the staff, the patients as well as the public to report any doubtful proceedings they come across at the hospital.

However, the hotline move by the health board has not gone done too well with the Nurses Organization - with the members expressing disappointment at the way the list of workers involved in the stealing activities has been released by the board.

Geoff Annals, CEO of the organization, said that though the union does not intend overlooking the deceitful practices, the hotline announcement would offend and anger the staff-members, who apparently are being represented as petty criminals!