Negligence claims cost health board over £22m

THE North Wales health board has paid out over £22million in clinical negligence claims last year.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON Local Democracy Reporter

It also paid £295,539 in “financial redress” claims to patients, with £42,300 of offers still waiting to be accepted.

The figures are contained in a Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board [BCUHB] report due to be discussed tomorrow.

It also stated that, although not the highest number, birth injury claims accounted for the board’s largest settlement amounts.

BCUHB is responsible for planning and providing NHS services across the six principal areas of North Wales.

The health board has a duty to consider its legal responsibility if there has been allegations of harm made within a complaint, or a patient safety incident has resulted in moderate harm, severe harm or a death.

A qualifying liability is established if the health board has both failed in its duty of care to a patient, and if the breach of duty has caused the harm that the patient has suffered.