Manchester University NHS Trust pays over £230K in damages for anaesthesia medical negligence claims 

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has paid out more than £230K in compensation due to anaesthesia-related medical negligence claims in the last five years, a new investigation has revealed. 

Fresh data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist has revealed that the Trust has paid out a total of £232,640 since 2019 settling five legal claims lodged against it. 

Across England and Wales, the NHS has forked out £55,130,516 in compensation due to anaesthesia-related medical negligence claims, with NHS legal costs and claimant costs bringing the total to an eye-watering £80.7m. 

Anaesthesia negligence happens when a medical professional fails to provide adequate care or makes a mistake during anaesthesia, potentially leading to harm or injury to the patient. 

In the last five years, NHS Trusts have settled 365 anaesthesia medical negligence claims, but the number of incidents reported to NHS Resolution, the legal arm of the NHS, is far higher.

Trusts with less than five claims lodged against them cannot be named due to concerns that the claimant would potentially be identified. 

Manchester University Trust paid out the second-highest identifiable amount coming behind only Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust which paid out £240,824 settling six such claims

Claims and incidents of anaesthesia-related medical negligence were also reported to NHS Resolution pertaining to Newcastle, Oxford, Derby, Leicester and Chesterfield NHS Trusts.

Between 2019 and 2024, a total of 437 incidents have been reported to the NHS Legal Body with the leading cause for a claim recorded as, ‘error with agent, dose or route selection.’ 

Some 36 such cases have been settled since 2019 with compensation payouts alone amounting to an eye-watering £6,847,425.

The most common injury cited for anaesthesia negligence claims lodged against the National Health Service was for psychiatric or psychological damage – costing the NHS £1,998,902 in settlements for 82 claims. 

Other injuries included ‘intubation problems’ – which is the improper placement of the endotracheal tube that can lead to difficulty with ventilation and inadequate oxygen delivery. 

Some 17 such claims and incidents have been reported to the NHS legal body in the last five years. 

Medical Negligence Assist solicitor, Gareth Lloyd said: “While anaesthesia is an essential and generally safe component of modern medicine, errors can have devastating consequences. These figures reinforce the importance of stringent safety measures and ongoing education for healthcare providers to minimise risks.

“But, in those cases where medical negligence has been found – families must be given the appropriate compensation and support they deserve to help rebuild their lives.

“On occasions when insufficient amounts of general anaesthetic have been administered during a standard operation the consequences for the patient psychologically can be devastating and permanent and can leave the patient with a serious psychological injury.”

The issue of anaesthesia-related medical negligence made headlines earlier this year after a popular social media influencer from Brazil died after being given a general anaesthetic for a back tattoo. 

Ricardo Godoi, 45, employed a tattoo studio to provide a full back tattoo. Reportedly, the studio hired a private hospital with all the equipment, staff and drugs needed to carry it out. 

The husband and father is said to have gone into cardiac arrest on the operating table at the hospital before the inking began, the Daily Mail reported. 

“What happened was that, at the beginning of the sedation and intubation, he went into cardiac arrest,” said the tattoo studio owner. 

“That occurred before they even started tattooing him. He was quickly checked and a cardiologist was called in to try to revive him, unfortunately without success.”

Mr Lloyd added: “Whilst claiming against the likes of the NHS or a private healthcare company can seem daunting, bringing such claims can also help the medical profession to identify important areas of improvement to hopefully ensure that no future patients ever fall victim to the same mistakes.”  

Medical Negligence Assist offers specialist advice and support regarding gynaecology negligence claims. 

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