§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many outstanding medical negligence claims there are currently in each health board area; for what amount; and if he will make a statement. [43918]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe number of outstanding medical negligence claims for each health board area is set out in the table:
Health Boards Number of cases Argyll & Clyde 125 Ayrshire & Arran 76 Borders 12 Dumfries & Galloway 34 Fife 72 Forth Valley 70 Grampian 77 Greater Glasgow 404 Highland 62 Lanarkshire 136 Lothian 212 Orkney 3 Shetland 6 Tayside 129 Western Isles 7 State Hospital 1 Common Services Agency 15 Scottish Ambulance Service 2 Total 1,443 It is not possible to predict the actual amounts as the level of settlement is generally not known until an agreement between the parties has been reached. It is for individual health authorities to determine the annual provision for claims likely to be settled against them in any one year. Details of that provision will be provided in Trusts and Health Board annual accounts. The accounts for 1997–98 are currently in the process of being completed and have yet to be submitted to the Department.