Fast-track for birth injuries

Lawyers have given a cautious welcome to plans for a fast-track compensation scheme for babies injured at birth in the NHS.

Department of Health (DoH) secretary Jeremy Hunt announced a consultation on a new “rapid resolution and redress” (RRR) scheme as part of a safer maternity care action plan this week.

The RRR could investigate the more than 500 incidents each year and, where harm was avoidable, offer access to financial support without the need for families to launch a formal legal process. Currently, families wait an average of 11.5 years for cases to be resolved. The scheme would offer families counselling, case management and legal advice. The DoH says it is similar to a scheme in Sweden that has halved serious avoidable birth injuries in the past six to seven years.

Neil Sugarman, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers said: “In these cases in particular, it is critical that the right amount of compensation is made available to injured children to ensure they receive the care they desperately need.

“We have yet to see the details of the consultation, but we will be reminding the DoH that children suffering cerebral palsy and brain damage at birth need round-the-clock medical care, specialist equipment and support for the rest of their lives.”

Andy Cullwick, head of marketing at First4Lawyers, said: “Parents should still seek legal advice before accepting compensation for damages.”