Plan for swifter payouts after medical mistakes

Published on 19/08/2012 00:00

PATIENTS could be able to get compensation payouts without going through the courts if they are injured as a result of medical treatment.

The Scottish Government yesterday launched a consultation on reforming NHS compensation claims.

It comes after a panel of 
independent experts, led by Professor Sheila McLean, a specialist in law and medical ethics, recommended a no-fault system be introduced in Scotland.

A number of countries, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and New Zealand, already have this type of system.

Introducing no-fault compensation would mean patients who have suffered injury, loss or damage as a result of their treatment could receive a payout without having to resort to court action.

Patients would still need to prove that their treatment caused harm but would no longer need to prove negligence.

Public health minister Michael Matheson said: “It is important that people who have suffered as a result of clinical mistakes should have some form of redress.”