Medical negligence claims have
increased throughout the years. Medical negligence refers to substandard care
of a patient which causes injury or worsens their initial condition. The NHS
has seen a rising number of medical negligence claims over the last
decade.
However,
from 2018 to 2019, the number of claims started to steady and level out.
Despite a consistently staggering number of claims against the NHS, fewer
claims are progressing to trial. In fact, the number of clinical negligence
cases outnumbers those going to trial by 6 to 1.
The drastic decrease in medical negligence
trials is down to a change in how the NHS handles these cases. The NHS aims to
work closely with their partners in the health and justice system to improve
patient safety. Both legal and medical staff are now contemplating medical
negligence cases further to explore every outcome and option. By taking extra
time to consider the case, we can reduce the patient’s stress and financial
burden on the NHS.
Medical negligence can have a
detrimental impact on a patient’s quality of life. If you have
experienced medical negligence, you may find a potential trial traumatic
and stressful. Research your options and make the best choice for you and your
healthcare
system.
The NHS Resolutions annual report
revealed that from 2018 to 2019, clinical negligence payments came to a
whopping £2359.9 million. These payments come out of the same budget used to
pay for NHS staff, medical equipment and much more.
There was a 1.5 per cent decrease
in clinical negligence payments from 2019 to 2020, accounting for £2324.2
million. However, the
number of claims actually increased from 2018 to 2019 by 9.3%, totalling
11882 claims. The NHS later found that they failed to meet their target for
medical negligence claims from 2019 to 2020.
Furthermore, the number of medical
negligence claims are expected to rise and nearly double by 2023. The Medical
Protection Society stated that the total annual cost that the NHS spends on
medical negligence claims could train 6,500 doctors. As clinical negligence
claims rise, the
NHS is likely to be under a significant financial burden that they cannot
withstand.
MPs argue that the medical
negligence system is now at a tipping point. There is a call for change in both
the NHS and legal handling of negligence claims. Currently, medical negligence
claims are increasing at a rate of 11.5 per cent per year.
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