A new report published last week by the Public Accounts Committee confronts the issue of spiralling clinical negligence compensation claims in the face of what the committee termed NHS ‘defensiveness.’
Recognising that the cost of clinical negligence claims has risen by over £1 billion in the last decade, the committee identified a ‘reluctance (by the NHS) to admit mistakes, which is likely to be leading to more clinical negligence claims.’
Furthermore, the committee criticised the government for what it termed a ‘disappointingly slow and complacent’ response to the problem.
The chair of the committee, Meg Hillier, commented that ‘it is important that patients who suffer because of clinical negligence are compensated. But government has been far too slow to understand and get a grip on the increase in negligence costs.’
She further remarked that ‘the NHS must move more quickly to share best practice in the handling of harmful incidents and complaints. This should be a fundamental part of what remains a disappointingly slow-moving shift towards openness and transparency.’
Speak to a solicitor
If you have suffered from substandard medical care, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation for your suffering.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, a specialist medical negligence legal practice, to discuss your situation with an experienced solicitor.
Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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