Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the(a) legal costs of defending clinical negligence claims against the NHS and (b) estimated costs of administration and management time incurred in defending clinical negligence claims against the NHS, in each of the last five years. [56008]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 13 May 2002]: Information on costs for legal defence and management/administration for clinical negligence claims against the national health service are not identified separately in the National Audit Office summarised accounts for the NHS (England).
Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of clinical negligence claims paid by the NHS was for 2001–02. [56009]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 13 May 2002]: The total cost of clinical negligence claims paid by the national health service for 2001–02 is not yet available.
Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish a White Paper on clinical negligence. [56007]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 13 May 2002]: In July 2001 the chief medical officer was asked to set up an advisory group to look at the reform of clinical negligence in the national health service. It has not yet been possible to publish proposals for reform, because of the complexity of the issues raised by potential reforms, the need to consult widely (including through the Lord Chancellor's Department on how compensation is paid) and also to consider how potential proposals sit alongside a concurrent review of the NHS complaints procedure. Nevertheless, the chief medical officer has now held the last of his advisory group meetings and will shortly publish the findings along with recommendations for reform.