North Essex NHS Trust Pays £34m in Child Negligence Claims
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust has paid £34 million for child negligence claims from 2019 to 2024, highlighting serious concerns.
North Essex, Colchester, Ipswich, NHS, Child Negligence, Medical Claims
Colchester: A recent report shows that the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust faced 45 claims of medical negligence involving children from 2019 to 2024. These claims resulted in payouts totaling over £34 million.
This amount could have trained more than 500 nurses, according to research. The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust had the highest payouts, totaling over £103 million for children’s negligence claims.
Dr. Tim Leary, the interim chief medical officer, emphasized that providing safe care is their priority. They work closely with families and legal teams to settle claims quickly.
Delays in treatment were the main reason for these claims, with nearly 50% resulting in payouts. The trust regularly reviews all children on their waiting lists to ensure the best care.
Negligence claims can be very costly, often covering lifelong care for affected children. However, details of these claims remain confidential.