20% Rise in NHS Negligence Claims in One Year

Following a succession of hospital scandals the rise in medical negligence claims has been dramatic.

A few details;

 In 2012/13, 16,006 claims were made by patients or bereaved relatives against the NHS.

 Five years ago this number was 8,876.

 Figures show this as a 18.4% rise.

 There has been a 20% rise in medical negligence cases in just one year.

 This is an 80% rise since 2008

 More than £1bn was spent on settlements last year.

 The prediction is that the bill for medical negligence compensation will soon reach £19 billion

 At £19 billion it will be one fifth of the total NHS budget

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: "Most people who contact us say that all they wanted was an explanation of what went wrong, and changes made so that nobody else would suffer."

Experts have said the above figures, as high as they are, are due to hospitals refusing to apologise to patients or explain their failings.

This lack of taking patients feelings into account has been reflected in the figures which, it's suggested, could have easily been reduced if the NHS became more apologetic in regards to their failings.

Margaret Hodge, Chairperson of the Commons Public Accounts committee said the new figures were "deeply worrying" and "really concerning".

She added: "more than that I think this reflects problems with the quality of healthcare, and that is a major concern."

If you need advice regards making a medical negligence claim and want to speak to one of our specialist Birmingham solicitors please call our team on 0800 567 7272, email us via blvlaw@btinternet.com or complete the form on the right and we'll call you back

BLV Law

Medical Negligence Solicitors

Stourport, Halesowen & Birmingham

Tel: 0800 567 7272