By Joshua Robinson – 

NHS Trusts in West Yorkshire have paid out more than £67 million in compensation for children’s medical negligence legal claims lodged against them in the last five years, a new investigation has revealed.

Medical Negligence Assist solicitor, Sophie Cope said: “The consequence of clinical negligence involving children’s care can be life-changing for those affected but equally devastating for the families.”

“As well as the obvious emotional impact, injuries can cause a bigger financial impact than many can bear.”

To read the original research, please go to: https://www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk/medical-negligence-claims/child-medical-negligence-claims.

The issue of medical negligence when it comes to children’s care has been in sharp focus with recent cases including Lucy Letby, a former nurse who is serving 15 life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between 2015 and 2016.

Another case involves former Great Ormond Street orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Yaser Jabbar who faces allegations of leaving dozens of children with life-altering conditions and some requiring amputations due to botched surgery.

Mr Jabbar worked at the Hospital’s lower limb reconstruction service from 2019 until he stepped down in September 2023.

Children and families affected by medical negligence can lodge a claim via NHS Resolution which is a government scheme paid for by NHS Trusts that acts as an insurance policy and pays for NHS claims.

Five NHS Trusts across West Yorkshire have had a combined total of 165 claims and incidents of medical negligence involving children aged between 0-17 reported to the NHS legal body since 2019.

Data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist has found that between them, three Trusts have settled 71 claims with damages amounting to an eye-watering £67,558,267 – not including NHS or claimant legal costs paid.

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust alone has had to pay out £26,024,115 settling 31 claims between 2019-2024 – more than any other Trust in the region.

Infographic copyright: www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk

The highest number of claims and incidents however, pertained to Calderdale & Huddersfield Trust which has had 52 reported to the NHS legal body.

In the last five years, it has settled 24 claims of medical negligence regarding children’s care to the tune of £24,719,539.

A further £16.8 million was forked out by Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust to settle 16 such claims.

Since 2019, it has had 42 incidents reported to NHS Resolution.

Death, brain damage, cerebral palsy, and bowel damage are just some of the conditions and injuries children have sustained as a result of medical negligence.

Failure and delays in treatment and diagnosis are among the top causes of child clinical negligence claims being lodged against NHS Trusts across England – and have cost the health service more than £3 billion in compensation payouts alone in the last five years.

Other injuries included, Erb’s palsy, removal of testicles, and hypoxia – which is a condition where cells or tissues do not have enough oxygen to function effectively and can lead to pneumonia, fibrosis, or lung disease.

Medical Negligence Assist’s investigation revealed that a total of 6,536 children’s clinical negligence claims and incidents have been reported to the NHS legal body in the last five years.

Of those, 1,491 pertained to failure or delays in treatment and a further 1,079 were regarding failure or delays in diagnosis.

Infographic copyright: www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk

Death as a result of clinical negligence was the most prevalent type of claim, of which there have been 465 lodged against NHS Trusts in the last five years, with settlement payouts amounting to £34,269,501.

A further £1,383,409,275 has also been paid out in damages by the NHS for cerebral palsy claims as a result of medical neglect.

A total of 340 claims were made for cerebral palsy which is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby’s brain while it’s growing in the womb.

Infographic copyright: www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk

Solicitor Sophie Cope added: “While some people understandably worry that making a claim will affect frontline care, the reality is that hospitals and GPs are always insured against such claims.”

“As such, any damages owed are paid by the insurers and do not affect the care other patients are receiving.”

“It is vital that any medical negligence is addressed to prevent serious and life-altering consequences for patients and their families.”

Medical Negligence Assist offers specialist advice and support regarding children’s medical negligence claims.

They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which can be accessed on their website.

To read their original research, please go to: https://www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk/medical-negligence-claims/child-medical-negligence-claims.

We appreciate your support, it really is invaluable, please share the article, and make sure to join the KLTV WhatsApp Community today!