§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of medical negligence involving the national health service have been settled in the last three years; and how many have remained outstanding. [22204]
§ Mr. MaloneInformation about outstanding cases is not available centrally. For information about numbers of cases settled, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 6 March at columns41–42.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment her Department has made of the procedures for dealing with claims for medical negligence in the national health service; and what proposals she has to improve the system; [22199]
(2) what plans she has to speed up the process of dealing with claims for medical negligence involving the national health service. [22200]
§ Mr. MaloneThe clinical negligence scheme for trusts, which I announced on 29 March, will contribute to improved claims handling in those national health service trusts which decide to become members. Guidance will also be made available to all trusts on claims handling procedures. In addition, we are introducing a pilot mediation scheme in two English regions which will enable the parties to agree a satisfactory outcome without going to court.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for the length of time taken to resolve cases of medical negligence involving the national health service. [22202]
§ Mr. MaloneThis information is not available centrally.