PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Commenting on the exchange between health secretary Jeremy Hunt and John Pugh MP at health questions today, MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said:
"The Secretary of State's claim today that all that is needed to reduce NHS litigation costs is safer care is no more than half the story. Around three-quarters of claims against GPs are rebutted without damages being paid and claimant lawyers' costs in paid claims regularly run at six or more times that spent by defenders.
“So, it is clear that action is also needed to control legal costs beyond the Government's current welcome but mild proposals, but also to reform tort law and to avoid precipitate changes to the discount rate based on a seriously out-of-date consultation and much-changed economic circumstances. It is time for comprehensive, joined-up thinking in this area."
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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.