The NHS anti-fraud agency has saved Scotland's health service almost £20m since it was set up eight years ago, it was revealed yesterday.

An estimated £19,700,000 of public money has been saved by the Counter Fraud Service (CFS) which investigates cases where funds are being misused.

The figure was released as CFS officials attended a conference in Edinburgh.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Any fraud against the NHS is unacceptable and, whether it's a patient falsely claiming exemption from charges, healthcare professionals claiming payment for treatment they haven't carried out or a supplier overcharging for goods, NHS fraud takes money away from where it is needed most.

"While we know only a minority commit fraud against the NHS, the amount recovered through the CFS demonstrates so very clearly the value and importance of the measures taken by the service and NHS Boards."

The CFS was established in July 2000. Working alongside NHS Boards, it is charged with both detecting and deterring fraud.

It operates a free hotline and website which can be used to report incidents of suspected fraud against the NHS.

CFS head Neil Billing said: "Significant savings have been generated for the NHS in Scotland and, in line with the theme of today's conference Working Together, Achieving More', this has been done through the CFS's close collaboration with the Scottish Government, NHS Boards and professional representative bodies.

"In moving forward, we can build on this success by sharing knowledge, skills and experience with our UK counterparts and with the European Healthcare Fraud and Corruption Network."