The NHS Redress Act was passed by Parliament on 8 November. The Act allows the government to implement the NHS Redress Scheme, a scheme intended to provide faster and cheaper resolution of clinical negligence claims than litigation.  The scheme is likely to be limited to those claims where compensation is likely to be less than £20,000.  It is intended that the NHS will investigate complaints and decide whether and how much compensation it should pay.

At Gadsby Wicks we are concerned that the scheme will lack independence.  We are concerned that patients will be denied access to legal advice and will be presented with the results of an investigation carried out by the very people of whom they complain.

The government is set to consult on the detail of the scheme in the coming year.

09 November 2006