The Department has not received any litigation cases for clinical negligence. Claims of clinical negligence in the national health service are made against the NHS body providing the care.
Of the 4,593 cases formally claimed in 2007-08, as of 30 September 2008, 2,262 have been settled, with £18,217,815 being paid out in damages, £2,272,334 in defence legal costs and £7,878,866 in claimant legal costs. The NHS Litigation Authority, which handles clinical negligence cases on behalf of member organisations, provided this information. The data do not include claims made against self-employed contractors in primary care.