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Dr. Kumar
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was to the NHS of medical negligence in each year since 1997, broken down by Government Office region; and if he will make a statement. [121640]
Ann Winterton
The total cost of medical negligence in each year since 1997, as prepared by the National Audit Office and presented in the national health service summarised accounts for England, is shown in the table. This information is not available by Government Office Region.
| £ millions | |
| In year expenditure | |
| 1996–97 | 235 |
| 1997–98 | 144 |
| 1998–99 | 221 |
| 1999–2000 | 373 |
| 2000–01 | 415 |
| 2001–02 | 446 |
Note:
Changes to accounting policies imposed by the NAO over the years mean that these amounts are not directly comparable.