The Public Accounts Committee have noted the record sum of medical negligence payouts to be ‘jaw dropping’ and have heavily criticised the inaction of both the UK Government and the NHS itself, to reduce errors and to improve patient care and safety.

As of the 1 April 2024, the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) recognised a staggering £58.2 billion in provisions to cover future clinical negligence claims—making it the second-largest government liability after nuclear decommissioning.

This includes £9.3 billion earmarked for claims arising in the 2023‑2024 financial year, with an additional £24.6 billion of currently unrecognised claims still potentially awaiting settlement.

The above figures represent the fact that far too many patients are still suffering and will continue to suffer clinical negligence, which unfortunately lends itself to devastating harm to those affected.

Paul Whiteing, the Chief Executive of the patient safety charity, Action Against Medical Accidents, said that claims have arisen over errors by NHS staff in every area of care. “But the largest sums are awarded to families of babies that are left with lifelong disabilities, such as brain damage, through negligence at birth.”

The NHS has faced a series of maternity care scandals in recent years that have resulted in the deaths of mothers and their babies or resulting in either suffering from life-long injuries. In 2023, the Care Quality Commission, which is the UK’s Health Service Care Regulator, said that two-thirds of maternity units provided substandard care.

A DHSC spokesperson said: “Patient safety is the bedrock of a healthy NHS and social care system. This government will ensure the country has the best system in place to keep patients safe by overhauling the overly complex bureaucracy of healthcare regulation and oversight and we will examine the drivers of costs, how to manage spending on clinical negligence and the potential merits of reform options.”

However, despite this proposal for change, many people are still finding themselves to be a victim of clinical negligence, no matter the area of care.

If you feel that you have been the victim of any form of clinical negligence, whether from the NHS or in respect of private treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our Clinical Negligence Department to discuss how we may be able to help.