PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Monday, 29 June 2015
UK-wide medical defence organisation MDDUS welcomes government plans to cap legal fees in clinical negligence cases against the NHS in England.
The proposal aims to control excessive legal costs by setting a limit for claims up to £100,000. At present there is no limit on legal fees, even if the compensation claim is for a small amount.
MDDUS supports moves that will benefit patients who have been harmed and ensure that lawyer fees are proportionate in relation to the compensation received by the patient.
The proposal will be open to public consultation in the autumn and it is hoped the changes will save the NHS and professional staff millions of pounds each year.
MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny says: “Medical negligence awards are made for the benefit of harmed patients, not the profitability of the legal services industry.
“We welcome the government's determination to cap wasteful costs and hope that their autumn proposals take the form of a practical, comprehensive action plan, capable of early implementation.”
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For further information contact Richard Hendry on 0845 270 2034 or 07976 272266, or email rihendry@mddus.com.
Note to editors
MDDUS (The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland) is a medical and dental defence organisation providing access to professional indemnity and expert medico- and dento-legal advice for doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
For further information on MDDUS go to www.mddus.com.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.