Recommendation 21

HMT acknowledged that clinical negligence had a significant impact on overall levels of compensation in terms of the high amounts paid each year, but noted there would inevitably always be clinical negligence in the health system.47 HMT informed us that clinical negligence will be reviewed by the Department of Health and Social Care as part of the upcoming Ten Year Plan for the NHS and progress had already been made on some aspects, such as on the large numbers of low-value claims where legal fees exceed payments.48 More widely, HMT noted that recent large percentage increases over the previous year in compensation amounts paid and owed by government were largely due to the start of two new schemes, for infected blood and Post Office compensation.49 HMT agreed there could be value in looking at how much the UK pays in compensation as a proportion of GDP compared to other countries.50 44 Q 35 45 C&AG’s report, paras 3.4-3.5 46 C&AG’s report, para 3.6 47 Qq 33-34 48 Qq 33-34 49 Q 33 50 Q 33 12