NHS compensation bill reaches £26m

04/02/2010

NHS compensation payouts for errors in Scotland last year reached £26
million – an 80% rise on the previous year, figures have revealed.

Data obtained by the Conservatives showed £14.5 million was paid out
in 2007/08, but last year just three cases almost cost the same, each
at more than £4 million.

Scottish Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: “People have a
right to ask why clinical negligence payouts are spiralling out of
control in this way. Every pound spent on compensation is a pound not
spent on patient care.”

A total of 171 cases were settled in 2008/09, 11 fewer than in the
previous financial year, despite the higher overall payout, according
to the figures released by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon in answer
to a Parliament question.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde, dealing with the majority of the Scottish
population, paid out the most at £8.8 million last year, followed by
Fife, whose bill was almost half that at £4.5 million.

Ms Scanlon added: “It seems that when errors do occur in the NHS those
responsible are rarely held to account.”

Original Article: Legal and Medical