NHS pays out £26m in compensation
28/01/2010
The NHS paid out £26 million in clinical negligence compensation in 2008/9, 80% more than the £14.5 million paid out over the previous year.
Figures obtained by the Conservatives show that around half of last year's figure was taken up by just three cases, which each received payouts of £4 million.
A total of 171 compensation cases were settled during 2008/09, 11 fewer than in the previous financial year, despite the higher overall payout.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which serves the bulk of the Scottish population, paid out the highest amount of £8.8 million, with Fife next on £4.5 million.
Conservative Party health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "People have a right to ask why negligence payouts are spiralling out of control. Every pound spent on compensation is a pound not spent on patient care."
Ms Scanlon said the figures pointed to a "lack of accountability" among health staff, and added: "It seems that when errors do occur in the NHS those responsible are rarely held to account."
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