Manchester NHS Trusts pay out £158m in compensation for children’s medical negligence claims

Death, brain damage and cerebral palsy are just some of the injuries and consequences resulting in claims of medical negligence involving children’s care across NHS Trusts in England in the last five years

NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester have paid out more than £158 million in compensation for children’s medical negligence legal claims lodged against them in the last five years, a new investigation has revealed.

Medical Negligence Assist solicitor, Sophie Cope said: “The consequence of clinical negligence involving children’s care can be life-changing for those affected but equally devastating for the families.

“As well as the obvious emotional impact, injuries can cause a bigger financial impact than many can bear.”

The issue of medical negligence when it comes to children’s care has been in sharp focus with recent cases including Lucy Letby, a former nurse who is serving 15 life sentences for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others between 2015 and 2016.

Another case involves former Great Ormond Street orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Yaser Jabbar who faces allegations of leaving dozens of children with life-altering conditions and some requiring amputations due to botched surgery. 

Mr Jabbar worked at the Hospital’s lower limb reconstruction service from 2019 until he stepped down in September 2023. 

Children and families affected by medical negligence can lodge a claim via NHS Resolution which is a government scheme paid for by NHS Trusts that acts as an insurance policy and pays for NHS claims.

Six NHS Trusts across Greater Manchester have had a combined total of 417 claims and incidents of medical negligence involving children aged between 0-17 reported to the NHS legal body since 2019. 

Data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist has found that between them, the Trusts have settled 228 claims with damages amounting to an eye-watering £158,969,747 – not including NHS or claimant legal costs paid. 

Manchester University NHS Trust alone has had to pay out £76,766,838 settling 104 claims between 2019-2024, more than any other Trust in the region and the third-highest amount out of all 236 NHS Trusts in England. 

Stockport NHS Trust paid out the second highest amount in Greater Manchester settling 22 claims to the tune of £25,297,776. 

A further 45 claims were settled by Northern Care Alliance Trust who paid out £24,230,985 in compensation in the last five years. 

Since 2019, it has had a hefty 75 claims and incidents reported to the NHS legal body.

Death, brain damage, cerebral palsy and bowel damage are just some of the conditions and injuries children have sustained as a result of medical negligence across NHS Trusts in England.

Failure and delays in treatment and diagnosis are among the top causes of child clinical negligence claims being lodged and have cost the National Health Service more than £3 billion in compensation payouts alone in the last five years.

Other injuries included, Erb’s palsy, removal of testicles and hypoxia – which is a condition where cells or tissues do not have enough oxygen to function effectively and can lead to pneumonia, fibrosis or lung disease.

Medical Negligence Assist’s investigation revealed that a total of 6,536 children’s clinical negligence claims and incidents have been reported to the NHS legal body in the last five years.

Of those, 1,491 pertained to failure or delays in treatment and a further 1,079 were regarding failure or delays in diagnosis.

Death as a result of clinical negligence was the most prevalent type of claim, of which there have been 465 lodged against NHS Trusts in the last five years, with settlement payouts amounting to £34,269,501. 

A further £1,383,409,275 has also been paid out in damages by the NHS for cerebral palsy claims as a result of medical neglect. 

A total of 340 claims were made for cerebral palsy which is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby’s brain while it’s growing in the womb. 

Solicitor Sophie Cope added: “While some people understandably worry that making a claim will affect frontline care, the reality is that hospitals and GPs are always insured against such claims. 

“As such, any damages owed are paid by the insurers and do not affect the care other patients are receiving. 

“It is vital that any medical negligence is addressed to prevent serious and life-altering consequences for patients and their families.”

Medical Negligence Assist offers specialist advice and support regarding children’s medical negligence claims. 

They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.