Scotland NHS compensation bill crosses £25m
The compensation claim bill for medical negligence by the NHS in Scotland crossed £25 million last year, according to new figures.
It was reported that the amount was 80% higher than the £14.5 million paid out in claims the previous year.
According to data obtained by the Tories, nearly half of the compensation claims bill for 2008/09 involved just three cases, each of which topped £4 million.
Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said today: "People have a right to ask why clinical negligence payouts are spiralling out of control in this way. Every pound spent on compensation is a pound not spent on patient care."
In 2008/09 there were a total of 171 settled cases, that is 11 fewer than in the previous financial year, despite the higher overall payout and increase in no win no fee lawyers.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde paid out the highest amount of £8.8 million, with Fife next on £4.5 million.
Ms Scanlon said the figures indicated a "lack of accountability" among medical staff.
"It seems that when errors do occur in the NHS those responsible are rarely held to account," she said.
A Scottish Government spokesman said compensation awards are made according to the circumstances of each case and vary from year to year.
Updated on 02/02/2010