§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has collated on the 1321W take-up rate of mediation to resolve clinical negligence disputes over the past two years. [59640]
§ Mr. LammyThe NHS litigation authority is responsible for handling clinical negligence claims made against the national health service. In June 2000, the authority began an initiative to encourage the use of mediation to resolve all suitable cases. 77 offers for mediation have been accepted and at the end of April 2002, 32 mediations have been completed, 31 successfully.