Our Research Into Compensation Payouts For Medical Negligence

With significant experience in medical negligence claims, we understand and appreciate the impact errors and poor standards of care can have. Its prompted us to conduct our own research into the issue. Here, you can find the results.

Our Research Into Compensation Payouts For Medical Negligence – Methodology

Our research seeks to identify any growing trends or issues in medical negligence. In particular, we seek to examine which Trusts pay out the most in compensation, how much they’ve paid, and the reasons for those payouts.

To obtain this data, we wrote to all NHS trusts in the country under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to formally request this data.

Our Findings

Below, you can find the results of our research into compensation payouts for medical negligence, broken down by each NHS hospital trust.

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Medical negligence claims have cost the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust more than £800k in the past year.

A Freedom of Information request uncovered that 14 medical negligence claims were made against the Trust from July 2022 to June 2023.

The total figure of £804,824.32 paid out by the Trust during this period was irrespective of when the claim was initially submitted. 

Out of the 187 complaints that the Trust received last year, over 10%  related to poor or substandard care. All staff have a duty to provide patients with reasonable care expected of any medical professional. 

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Medical negligence claims have cost The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust more than £10m in the last year.

A Freedom of Information request found that the Trust paid out a total of £10,871,599.14 from July 2022 to July 2023, irrespective of when the claim was made.

In this same period, 229 medical negligence claims were lodged against the Trust.

Additionally, 473 separate complaints were received by the Trust. Out of those complaints, 46.5% allegedly related to poor or substandard care.

The complaints, when broken down, confirmed:

• 106 related to the general care of patients
• 88 related to clinical treatment
• 26 related to diagnoses 

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has paid out £118,581 as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

In addition, the Trust dealt with 15 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

During the same period, the Trust dealt with 186 complaints. Out of those complaints, 51% were allegedly caused by poor or substandard care.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS Trust

Medical negligence claims have cost Liverpool Women’s Hospital a total of £8,439,009 in the last year.

Out of the 66 complaints made against the Trust from July 2022 to July 2023, 29 were a result of poor or substandard care relating to clinical treatment and patient care.

In the same period, 46 medical negligence claims were lodged against the Trust.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has paid out £2,462.259.10 in damages as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The Trust had dealt with 59 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

In the same period, the Trust received 456 complaints, of which, 200 related to poor or substandard clinical treatment.

East Cheshire NHS Trust

East Cheshire NHS Trust has paid out over £10m as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The total cost was revealed as £10,212,030 following a Freedom of Information request.

Legal Expert further found that the trust had dealt with 16 medical negligence claims and 129 complaints from July 2022 to July 2023.

Whittington Health NHS Trust

Whittington Health NHS Trust has paid out £179m as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

In addition, there were 39 medical negligence claims lodged against Whittington Health NHS Trust from July 2022 to July 2023.

Out of 310 complaints received by the Trust, 32% related to care.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for the likes of Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital, paid out a total of £28,804,107 as a result of medical negligence claims.

There were 61 medical negligence claims lodged against the Trust from July 2022 to July 2023.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust paid out over £24.5m as a result of medical negligence claims last year.

The figure ranked the Trust number four in terms of medical negligence claim payouts when compared to other NHS Trusts in England and Wales.

The Trust, which is responsible for the likes of the Royal Derby Hospital and the Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, also dealt with 135 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023. 

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spent almost £5m on compensation payouts as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The trust dealt with 28 claims from July 2022 to July 2023, but paid out a total of £4,914,799.05 irrespective of what date the claim was made. 

In this same period, out of 190 complaints lodged against the trust, 45% related to poor or substandard care.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has been found to be one of the most impacted NHS trusts in terms of medical negligence claim payouts in the last year.

The trust, which includes Musgrove Hospital, paid out £13,511,879 as a result of medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

The figure meant the trust ranked number eight when compared to other trusts in England and Wales.

In the same period, 77 medical negligence claims were lodged against Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust paid out £13,349,173 as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The figure ranks the Trust at number 10 when compared to other trusts in England and Wales in terms of medical negligence claim payouts. 

The health service, which covers Queen Alexandra Hospital, also received 89 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has paid out over £3m as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The organisation, which is responsible for providing ambulance services for the NHS across South West England, dealt with 22 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

The total paid out by the trust came to £3,075,209.40.

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has resulted in Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust paying out £2,882,328 in compensation during the last year.

There were 75 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust from July 2022 to July 2023.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust 

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has paid out almost £5m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

The trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, dealt with 75 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

In the same period, irrespective of when a claim was lodged, medical negligence claims cost the trust £4,985,759 – one of the highest figures when compared to other trusts in the North East.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust paid out £4,914,799.05, for example, while Cumbria, Northumberland,Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust paid out just £25,250.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust and Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence set back University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust by £24.5m in the last financial year.

A Freedom of Information request ffound that 135 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust in the same period.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust dealt with medical negligence claims costing just over £13m.

The trust dealt with 51 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to June 2023.

In the same period, both trusts had over 100 complaints made against them relating to poor or substandard care. 

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has cost Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust almost £3m in the last year.

A sum of £2,994,460.22 was paid out as a result of medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023, irrespective of when the claim was lodged.

A Freedom of Information request also found the trust, which also overlooks Parkview Clinic, dealt with 37 new medical negligence claims during this time. 

In the same period, 59% of complaints made against the trust related to clinical treatment or patient care. However, these concerns were not necessarily upheld following investigation.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has set back Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust by £5.8m in the last year.

The total figure of £5,884,951.17 dwarfed the compensation amounts paid out by the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, which were £950 and £40,802 respectively. 

A Freedom of Information request also found that 134 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust from July 2022 to July 2023. 

The trust, which overlooks the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, dealt with 327 formal complaints in the same period – 100% of which related to or had an element of poor or substandard care.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust has paid out more than £3.3m as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

The trust, which runs Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, dealt with 90 formal Letters of Claim in relation to medical negligence during July 2022 to July 2023. 

The total sum of £3,331,090 paid out was irrespective of when a claim was made and may relate to claims from previous years.

Out of 726 complaints made against the trust, 35% related to issues with care.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has cost Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust over £11.5m in the last year.

A Freedom of Information also found that the Greater Manchester trust had 151 medical negligence claims lodged against them from July 2022 to July 2023.

The total compensation amount of £11,581,920.40 paid out as a result of medical negligence claims is irrespective of what date the claim was made.

In the same period, 54% of complaints made against the trust related to poor or substandard care. 

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has paid out more than £12.6m in the last year as a result of medical negligence.

The West Yorkshire trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary and St. Luke’s Hospital, dealt with 156 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023.

However, the total sum paid out of £12,612,678 may relate to claims made before this period.

Out of 469 complaints lodged against the trust, 33.2% related to issues with care or treatment.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Medical negligence cost Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over £11.4m in the last year.

A total of 295 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust from July 2022 to July 2023.

However, the sum paid out of £11,402,825.35 does not include annual periodic payments for claims settled in previous years. 

The West Yorkshire trust, which overlooks Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital, also dealt with 678 complaints – 59.7% of which related to poor or substandard care.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has setback Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust by £2m in the last year.

The West Yorkshire trust, which provides services for Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital, dealt with 87 medical negligence claims in the same period.

Out of the 507 complaints received by the trust, 23.6% related to issues with patient care.

The Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has paid out over £1.5m as a result of medical negligence claims in the last year.

Although five new claims were lodged against the Cambridgeshire trust in this period, the total damages paid of £1,534,130 was irrespective of when the claim was made.

Around 19% of complaints made against the trust related to poor or substandard care.

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has been revealed as one of the worst trusts impacted by medical negligence in the country.

A total of £13.5m was paid out by the trust as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

There were 38 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust in the same period.

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has cost Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust almost £5m in the last year.

The trust, which operates Rotherham General Hospital, dealt with 56 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023. 

However, the total figure of £4,487,289 paid out in compensation related to claims made irrespective of this timeframe. 

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has paid out over £7.6m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

The trust, which operates Torbay Hospital, dealt with 37 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023. 

In this same period, out of 154 complaints made against the trust, 28 related to poor or substandard care.

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Medical negligence has setback North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust by over £12.3m in the last year.

The trust dealt with 55 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to July 2023. 

In this same period, out of 259 complaints made against the trust, 30 related to poor or substandard care.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Medical negligence has cost Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over £11.3m in the last year.

The trust, which operates Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, dealt with 118 medical negligence claims in the same period.

The compensation paid out as a result amounted to a total sum of £11,392,483.27.

More than 11.7% of complaints received by the trust related to poor or substandard care.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has cost Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over £4m in the last year.

The trust, which operates the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, dealt with 81 medical negligence claims from July 2022 to June 2023.

The total sum of compensation paid out as a result of medical negligence claims, irrespective of the date the claim was submitted, amounted to £4,083,573.79.

The figure dwarfed compensation amounts paid out by other South Yorkshire NHS trusts.

For example, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust paid out £41,750 whilst Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust paid out £13,500.

However, the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust ultimately paid out one of the highest amounts compared to South Yorkshire NHS trusts, with medical negligence claims costing the trust £4,487,289.

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust 

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust paid out over £3.5m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

The trust, which runs Russell’s Hall Hospital and Corbett Hospital Outpatient Centre, was lodged with 54 clinical negligence claims between July 2022 to July 2023.

However, the total sum paid out in compensation as a result of medical negligence claims in this period, irrespective of the date the claim was submitted, amounted to £3,503,417.46.

Out of the 1,169 complaints the trust received, 32.5% related to issues with patient care.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust has paid out over £2.2m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

In the same period, 46 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust.

However, the total sum of £2,223,406 paid out by the trust may have related to claims made in previous years.

Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust

Medical negligence has cost Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust over £3.7m in the last year.

There were 16 clinical negligence claims lodged against the Trust in the same period.

However, the total sum paid out of £3,777,558.90 may have been related to claims made in previous years.

The Trust, which provides mental health services in North London, received 120 complaints last year – 65% of which related to poor or substandard care.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has paid out £1.9m as a result of medical negligence claims.

In the same period, the trust, which oversees Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital and Hemel Hempstead Hospital, dealt with 62 medical negligence claims.

A further 419 complaints were lodged against the trust, although not all complaints related to poor or substandard care.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust spent £1.3m on medical negligence claim payouts last year.

In the same period, 26 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust.

However, the total figure of £1,304,168 paid out by the trust may have related to claims made in previous years.

Out of the 98 complaints dealt with by the trust, 29% related to clinical treatment whilst 23% were a result of issues with patient care.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust paid out over £13.6m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

A Freedom of Information request uncovered that a total of 67 medical negligence claims were submitted against the trust from July 2022 to July 2023.

The trust, which oversees Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Rosie Hospital, ultimately paid out £13,641,897 on medical negligence claims.

However, the figure may relate to claims submitted in previous years.

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has been revealed as one of the worst trusts impacted by medical negligence in the country.

A total of £13.5m was paid out by the trust as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

There were 38 medical negligence claims were lodged against the trust in the same period.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Medical negligence has setback Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust over £800k in the last year.

Figures obtained from the trust revealed that it dealt with a total of 21 medical negligence claims between July 2022 to July 2023. 

However, the total amount of £812,272 in compensation paid out by the trust may have related to claims made prior to this period.

Out of 371 complaints the trust received, a fifth related aspects of treatment and care of patients.

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust 

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust paid out over £3.5m as a result of medical negligence in the last year.

The trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital and Corbett Hospital Outpatient Centre, was lodged with 54 clinical negligence claims between July 2022 to July 2023.

However, the total sum paid out in compensation as a result of medical negligence claims in this period, irrespective of the date the claim was submitted, amounted to £3,503,417.46.

Out of the 1,169 complaints the trust received, 32.5% related to issues with patient care.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Medical negligence claims have cost Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust almost £44m in the last year.

The trust, which runs King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford, paid out £43,702,730 altogether as a result of medical negligence claims.

However, the figure may also include compensation payouts from claims made in previous years.

Further data obtained from the trust revealed that from July 2022 to July 2023, a total of 84 medical negligence claims were lodged against them.