PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Chris Kenny, CEO of MDDUS, today challenged the Government to stop “tiptoeing around reform” and overhaul the way personal injury compensation is awarded in England and Wales.
The BBC today published figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request which they said showed the NHS faces paying out £4.3bn in legal fees to settle outstanding claims of clinical negligence.
Mr Kenny said: “There is ample evidence from the US and Australia that legal reform can protect doctors and hospitals from unjustified claims, whilst ensuring patients with legitimate grievances are compensated.
“It’s time that Government acted decisively on that evidence instead of tiptoeing around reform for fear of the legal lobby.
“We absolutely acknowledge that there must be reasonable compensation for patients harmed through clinical negligence, but this needs to be balanced by society’s ability to pay.
“Reform would ensure a fairer system all round, freeing up money to be spent on frontline care.”
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For further information contact Alison Hardie on 07501 421398, or email ahardie@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.