Diagnosis failures and inadequate nursing care by A&E services are just some of the reasons why NHS trusts across the country have had to pay out millions in compensation over the past few years.
Figures obtained by Medical Negligence Assist found that, since 2019, NHS Trusts in Dorset have had to pay out nearly £5m to patients who have lodged claims following negligence in an A&E setting.
A&E negligence can occur when a medical professional fails to provide care or treatment to the expected standard, with some examples including failing to listen to the patient’s symptoms or conducting an improper examination.
Sophie Cope, medical negligence solicitor for JF Law (which owns the Medical Negligence Assist brand), said: “The growing rate of negligence in A&E services brings into sharp focus a deeply concerning trend within our National Health Service.
“With over 6,000 claims being made against trusts in the past five years, this represents thousands of individuals who have suffered harm at a time when they were most vulnerable and seeking urgent care.
“The amount of money trusts have had to pay out in compensation reflects the severe impact these incidents have had on patients’ lives, ranging from increased periods of pain and suffering to life-changing injuries.”
When a patient suffers from negligence in an accident or emergency setting, they can endure painful and potentially fatal consequences. As a result, the patient can, in some cases, make a medical negligence claim against the NHS.
University Hospitals Dorset and Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts are the largest healthcare providers in Dorset, delivering physical and mental health services to nearly 800,000 people.
Between 2019 and 2024, 65 claims regarding A&E negligence were lodged against Dorset NHS Trusts, with 44 of these claims being settled.
The second-highest number of claims was made in 2019/20, when 16 claims were filed against the trust.
A year later, this number decreased to 9 claims.
The trust has seen a drop in the number of claims over the past year, compared to 2022/23, with a total of 9.
There are several reasons why A&E services have been overwhelmed over the past few years, with two of the main causes being staff shortages and overcrowding in the majority of hospitals across the country.
Earlier this year, MPs stated that health officials must do more to reduce patient harm and lower the “jaw-dropping” payouts for poor care.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) “lacks a grip of the financial pressures it faces” as it scrutinised the department’s annual accounts for 2023/24.
They highlighted that NHS Resolution, which manages claims and compensation for the department, paid £2.8 billion in cash to people wronged by clinical negligence in the 2023/24 financial year.
Medical Negligence Assist obtained figures on how much Dorset NHS Trusts have paid out to A&E medical negligence claims since 2019.
Over the past five years, the trusts have paid out a total of £4,911,086, with the highest amount being paid in 2019/20, at £2,386,752.
A drastic rise in patient waiting times has also piled pressure on A&E services, with thousands of patients having to wait up to three days, often spending much of that time on hospital corridors.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has warned that nationally, the situation could be costing thousands of lives.
According to figures gathered by NHS Resolution, 6,488 claims have been made against NHS Trusts across the country since 2019 for negligence regarding accident and emergency services.
Of the 6,488 claims, 4,574 were settled with trusts having to pay out a total of £608,343,606 in compensation to claimants who may have suffered a range of injuries..
There are many possible primary causes of these claims, including failures to perform x-rays, medication errors, or inadequate nursing care.
However, the main reason for many claims made against the NHS was a failed or delayed diagnosis, which was responsible for 2,224 claims alone over the past five years.
Speaking to Medical Negligence Assist, Sophie Cope said: “The most common reason for individuals pursuing this type of claim over the past five years has been a failed or delayed diagnosis, often caused by the A&E department’s failure to refer the patient for further investigations. Early intervention and accurate assessment are crucial in an emergency department (A&E) setting.
“For those who have unfortunately been affected by medical negligence and suffered harm due to substandard care in an emergency department, I strongly advise you to seek legal advice from a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
“Pursuing a claim not only helps victims secure the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses but also plays an important role in improving patient safety for everyone in the future.”
Medical Negligence Assist offers support to patients who may have suffered harm as a result of A&E negligence and can see if they have grounds to submit a claim.
They operate a 24-hour helpline, along with an online claim form, which can be accessed on their website.
