HC Deb 19 March 2003 vol 401 cc848-9W
Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of procedures put in place by the NHS Litigation Authority to identify clinicians against whom there have been several complaints. [103565]

Mr. Lammy

The National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA) is not part of the complaints system in place in individual trusts. The NHSLA's function is to administer the clinical negligence schemes, i.e., the Existing Liabilities Scheme and the Clinical Negligence Scheme for trusts, as well as two non-clinical schemes. Since claims under these schemes are against the NHS bodies which are vicariously liable for the actions of their employees, it is not considered necessary to record the name of the clinician when a claim is notified.

Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he receives from the NHS litigation authority on clinicians against whom complaints have been made. [103566]

Mr. Lammy

The National Health Service Litigation Authority does not collect information on complaints about clinicians.

Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health to whom the NHS litigation authority makes information available on the litigation history of individual clinicians. [103567]

Mr. Lammy

The National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA) does not collect information on the litigation history of a clinician. The NHSLA shares its claims information with the National Patient Safety Agency, whose role it is to collate information on all incidents that occur in NHS trusts. Only in cases of a novel, contentious or repercussive nature is the NHSLA required to advise the Department of Health.