§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to take steps to limit the amount of NHS money which is to be paid out to patients who sue for negligence or medical accidents; and what plans he has for a no-fault medical accident compensation scheme. [3405]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Government have every sympathy with those who suffer adversely as a consequence of clinical treatment. Where negligence can be shown to have caused this it seems only right that compensation should be available, and the Government is currently exploring alternatives to litigation which might offer a quicker and cheaper way of dealing with clinical negligence claims. However, it is a longstanding principle that compensation should be paid by the National Health Service only when there is evidence that negligence has been involved.