HC Deb 25 April 2001 vol 367 cc285-6W
Mr. Hilary Benn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid in compensation by the NHS for medical negligence in each of the last 20 years. [158338]

Mr. Denham

Figures on the amounts included in the national audit summarised accounts for clinical negligence payments for the latest available years are as follows:

£ million
1996–97 235
1997–98 144
1998–99 221
1999–2000 373

Notes:

1. Figures prior to 1996–97 are not available because clinical negligence was not separately identified in the accounts prior to that date.

2. The 1999–2000 figure is provisional as it is subject to audit.

3. Changes to accounting policies mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.

Source:

National Health Service summarised accounts for health authorities, NHS trusts and NHS Litigation Authority.