NHS Medical Negligence Liability Hits £58.2 Billion
10 June 2025
According to the Public Accounts Committee, the NHS has set aside an astounding £58.2 billion for medical negligence liabilities – making this the second largest liability across all areas of government spending.
In 2023 – 2024 alone, the NHS paid out a record £2.8 billion in compensation for many tragic cases of patient harm. Whilst this is a significant amount, it is only a small portion of their liabilities, meaning billions could be spent in years to come.
Whilst the vast majority of NHS patients receive good treatment and care, these statistics indicate that improvements in care are required if avoidable harm to patients is to be minimised.
What is Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence, also referred to as clinical negligence, occurs when a healthcare professional breaches their duty of care, resulting in a patient suffering injury or harm. This can be a result of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, surgical errors, prescription or medication mistakes, and preventable birthing injuries, to name just a few.
For a medical negligence claim to be successful, it must be proven that the treatment provided fell below an ‘acceptable’ standard and that this directly caused the patient injury or worsened their condition.
The substantial medical negligence liability faced by the NHS reflects the heightened pressure on NHS services and for some, life changing injuries. For example, maternity-related claims remain one of the largest contributors to NHS negligence costs, with families often requiring lifelong care and support following preventable birthing injuries.
Why Compensation and Seeking Legal Support Matters
Although compensation can never undo the trauma caused by medical negligence, it can help those affected access the right care and treatment, whilst holding healthcare providers to account.
The legal process for bringing a claim after experiencing medical negligence can be complex and emotionally challenging, which is why specialist legal advice is crucial. With such significant sums at stake, it is essential that these sensitive claims are handled with the right expertise, and most importantly, compassion and diligence.
How Redkite can help
At Redkite, our dedicated medical negligence team understand how daunting it can be to take legal action against healthcare providers. We offer sensitive and compassionate advice, ensuring that our clients are supported every step of the way.
If you or a loved one have been affected by medical negligence, please contact our specialist team who can provide you with tailored advice and help you seek compensation.
This article was written by Redkite Solicitors, Carys Dilliway. To find out more about Carys and the support that she can provide to you, visit her website profile here: https://www.redkitesolicitors.co.uk/team/carys-dilliway/
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.