§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints alleging medical negligence were 353W reeived by each regional health authority in England in the years 1984–85 to 1986–87; and what outcomes have been recorded.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not hold such information centrally.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of the total cost of awards to victims of medical accidents was met by the National Health Service; and what proportion by medical defence organisations, in each of the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87;
(2) if he will list the total expenditure on legal costs incurred (a) by the National Health Service as a whole, (b) by the hospital and community health service and (c) by the family practitioner service in defending cases brought by the victims of medical accidents for each of the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not hold centrally information on awards to victims of medical accidents in respect of health authorities in England.
The legal costs incurred by health authorities in such cases are treated as an administrative expense and are not separately identified in the annual accounts submitted to the Department.
In the case of family practitioner services, general medical practitioners, as well as other family practitioners, are independent contractors and as such are individually responsible for any actions or claims arising from the services provided by them. Any costs arising from defending such actions, and the cost of any awards made, are therefore a matter for the family practitioner concerned.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints alleging medical negligence were received by the family practitioner service in each of the years 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1986–87; and what outcomes were recorded.
§ Mr. MellorFamily doctors are independent contractors and complaints alleging medical negligence are for settlement between the doctor and the aggrieved party. Family practitioner committees have no power to investigate allegations of medical negligence but can investigate complaints that a doctor has failed to comply with his terms of service in providing general medical services.