NHS pays out £713m for negligence claims

09 June 2009

According to media reports, NHS payouts for negligence claims are expected to rise by 80% in 2009/10, jumping from £400m in 2008/9 to over £700m.

More than half of the expected payouts are for birth injury cases. According to the government’s maternity strategy, these services are supposed to receive extra funding, but the Conservative Party, who obtained the figures, say that these additional funds are being used up by claims for pregnancy and birth complications. The Royal College of Midwives has said that if maternity services were properly funded, it is likely that medical accident claims would drop.

Although some NHS trusts are reporting a shortfall, the NHS Confederation has confirmed that there is sufficient money in the system to pay the claims, and the government has insisted that the litigation costs are fully covered.

The substantial increase is party due to the changing way in which costs of future care are calculated, following a series of high-profile Court cases.

If you are concerned about the standards of care given to you or someone you know, call the Medical Accident Claimline for expert advice on 0800 3288923.