A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about the rising cost of clinical negligence in England and the lack of effective action to prevent avoidable patient harm.

The report shows that the government’s liability for clinical negligence has quadrupled over the past 20 years, reaching £60 billion in 2024–25. Despite repeated warnings dating back to 2002, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been unable to demonstrate meaningful progress in tackling the underlying causes of negligence.

The PAC found that while the NHS collects large volumes of data on patient harm, the information is fragmented and not shared effectively between trusts. As a result, opportunities to identify patterns of risk and prevent repeat failures are being missed.

Concerns were also raised about the disproportionate cost of legal claims. Claimant legal fees more than tripled to £538 million in 2024–25, with lower-value claims often costing far more in fees than victims receive in compensation. Previous plans to limit legal costs in these cases were not implemented. The PAC has called for alternative approaches to speed up decisions and reduce delays.

The report highlights particular issues in maternity and paediatric care. Settled claims involving infants and children reached £325 million in 2024–25, with brain injury cases taking an average of 11–12 years to resolve. Evidence pointed to workforce pressures, inadequate training and staffing shortfalls as key contributors to harm.

The PAC is now calling for urgent action, including a national patient safety framework, improved data sharing across the NHS and a clear plan to reduce both harm and costs.

At Austen Jones Solicitors, our medical negligence team supports individuals and families affected by failures in care, helping them understand their options and pursue accountability.

Austen Jones Solicitors, for a personal approach to legal matters