NHS data reveals 32% increase in medical negligence claims

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The following table shows an overall 32% increase in the number of medical negligence claims on the rolling 5-year average in 2021/22:

Sce: NHS Resolution
Type of claim Annual
No. Claims
(5-year avg.)
No. Claims
(2021/22)
% increase/decrease
Obstetrics 1,090 1,243 +14%
Emergency Medicine 1,333 1,233 -7%
Orthopaedic Surgery 1,308 1,203 -8%
General surgery 898 755 -16%
Gynaecology 689 751 +9%
General medicine 497 500 +1%
Radiology 390 397 +2%
Psychiatry/ Mental Health 314 326 v4%
Urology 328 308 -6%
Gastroenterology 270 293 +8%
Ophthalmology 257 225 -12%
Cardiology 219 210 -4%
Paediatrics 233 180 -23%
Ambulance 162 162 0%
Neurosurgery 181 158 -13%
Neurology 120 128 +6%
Other 3,123 7,006 +124%
Total 11,413 15,078 +32%

It is estimated that clinical negligence costs the NHS nearly £14 billion per year.

Most claims made against the NHS lead to a successful financial settlement without the need for court proceedings. In recent data published by NHS Resolution, 81% of claims in England were resolved in 2023/24 without resorting to legal proceedings.

Clinical negligence claims against private hospitals, GP practices and other medical service providers are also common, although this data is not centrally compiled.

Read more:

How to claim compensation for medical negligence

Chris Salmon, Director

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director