£179M medical negligence payout for Whittington Health NHS Trust

Whittington Health NHS Trust, in north London, has garnered attention with a substantial £179 million payout in medical negligence claims for the year 2022/2023.  

The sum places Whittington Health NHS Trust at the forefront of compensation payouts among National Health Service (NHS) trusts, according to a Daily Echo report. 

The data came to light following a Freedom of Information request by LegalExpert.com. Legal Expert, a law firm specializing in medical negligence cases, highlighted the trust’s prominent position among 229 NHS trusts across England and Wales. Whittington’s payout far exceeded that of renowned counterparts such as Barts Health NHS Trust (£51.4m) and even University Hospital Southampton (£28m). 

NHS Resolution data highlight a broader trend, revealing that NHS payouts for the 2021/22 period totalled £2.6 billion, demonstrating an uptick from the preceding year’s £2.4 billion. The number of clinical negligence claims and reported incidents experienced a decrease. Remarkably, 99% of claims reached successful settlements. 

In the context of these developments, Whittington Health NHS Trust’s £179 million payout stands out, drawing attention to the significance of addressing medical negligence claims with due diligence.  

Speaking to the Daily Echo, a spokesperson for University Hospital Southampton said that the number “does not reflect current and immediate activity, as claims can be ongoing for several years”. 

“It also does not reflect an increase in the number of claims being presented or an increase in the number of adverse incidents arising from patient care at the Trust.” 

A spokesperson for Whittington Health NHS Trust told local news outlet Ham&High: “The safety of our patients is our number one priority, however, on the very rare occasions when things go wrong we act quickly. 

“But it is important to stress that the figures quoted represent a tiny fraction of the number of patients we care for. 

“Last year we provided care and treatment to over 1 million people, the majority of whom were positive about the care they received.” 

Image: Google Maps 

Josie Miller Josie is an editor for Claims Media. She welcomes feedback, comments, and opinion at josie.miller@barkerbrooks.co.uk