The number of new clinical negligence claims against the NHS fell 2.5% to 10,686 in the year 2016–17, new figures have revealed.
However, the amount paid to claimant lawyers rose by 19% to £498.5m. And the amount of damages the NHS paid out rose £132m (14%) to £1.08bn, according to the first annual report of NHS Resolution (formerly known as the NHS Litigation Authority). Obstetric claims represented 10% of clinical claims but accounted for 50% of the total value of new claims reported.
According to Emma Hallinan, director of claims at the Medical Protection Society (MPS), the cost of claims is becoming ‘unsustainable’ for the NHS. She is calling for fixed costs for claims valued up to £250,000—substantially more than £25,000 threshold for fixed costs proposed by the government prior to the June election.
