An ill wind

THE fact that negligence at Yorkshire hospitals and clinics is costing taxpayers £150 a minute, highlights the need for the NHS to be the subject of an efficiency overhaul.

Coming two days after research revealed disparities between the quality of post-operative care that is offered by hospitals in this region, and the ensuing financial consequences, this exercise is now urgent.

Yet the compensation bill also goes to the very heart of the Government’s proposed legal reforms – and the level of taxpayer-funded legal aid safeguards that should be put in place for patients who become victims of sub-standard treatment.

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It is a difficult dilemma for Ministers as they finalise their proposals. Justice should be available to all. It should not become the preserve of those who can afford to incur legal fees – or risk losing part of their savings on costly court battles.

However, two other significant points need to be made. First, is it right that the charges levied by lawyers are so exorbitant – and that they are also entitled to success fees that have to be paid out by the NHS? No, it is not.

Second, while public awareness of consumer rights has inevitably grown following the advent of “no win, no fee” cases, hospitals would not have to make such payouts if doctors and nurses had not erred when treating their patients.

Of course, medicine is not an exact science. This is accepted. But if some of these mistakes can be eradicated thorough training or improved treatment, hospitals would not be facing such a high legal bill – and the costs associated with re-admitting patients following botched surgery.

In short, the onus is on them to put an even greater emphasis on standards in order to meet the public’s justifiable expectations.

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