§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the cost of action in respect of medical negligence, (b) the impact of delay in dealing with such claims on patients and families and (c) steps that could be taken to deal more simply and more effectively with such claims.
§ Mr. DorrellWe have no central intelligence on the costs incurred by health authorities in dealing with negligence claims or of the impact of possible delays in litigation on plaintiffs.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State drew attention earlier this year to improvements in the litigation process being implemented as a result of the civil justice review and also undertook to consider the possibility of a system of arbitration for medical negligence. The Department will invite views on a consultation document to be published shortly.