§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer dated 13 July 2004,Official Report, column 1098W, what legal actions involving NHS funds have been initiated over the last five years, excluding those for clinical negligence; and if he will make a statement. [185210]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe liabilities to third parties scheme (LTPS) is a risk pooling scheme for national health service trusts, primary care trusts and special 909W health authorities, which provides indemnity for non-clinical risks such as employers' and public liabilities. The scheme was introduced in 1999 and is operated by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA).
The table shows information provided by the NHSLA on the number of NHS resources spent on defending and initiating legal actions for non-clinical claims under the LTPS for the last five years.
£ Defence costs Claimant cost Damages Total 1999–2000 17,075 7,534 9,218 33,827 2000–01 35,686 265,166 664,608 965,460 2001–02 380,412 1,487,848 3,048,665 4,916,925 2002–03 1,815,517 3,974,607 9,608,353 15,398,477 2003–04 3,214,576 3,643,407 6,881,042 13,739,025 Total 5,463,266 9.378,562 20,211,886 35,053,714 Notes: The amounts include funds from the LTPS and trusts' own funds for any excesses for which they may have been liable. Trusts may insure outside of the LTPS scheme in certain circumstances. The amounts above do not include costs for insurance taken outside of the LTPS scheme.