It has been revealed that in 2009 medical negligence claims almost doubled in Grampian and Tayside health board. New data shows that compensation claims paid out cost NHS Grampian more than £4.28million in 2008-09. This has increased from £1.98million the year previous. Claims concerning NHS Tayside exposed that public liability costs reached £732,142. This total was more than triple the amount in the previous year of £198,229. North-east Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes, called last year’s compensation figures comparison “an astonishing increase”. “While the financial consequences are serious, the most important issue raised by these figures is the question of patient safety. “At a time of financial difficulty, when NHS boards are considering drastic measures like taking nurses out of hospital wards, these figures are particularly alarming,” she said. Tory health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon, who uncovered the figures with a parliamentary question, said while the number of cases in Grampian was the same in both years – 14 – the amount paid out had increased by a “staggering” 116%. She stated: “We are living in tough financial times and the millions spent on NHS compensation in Grampian represents millions of pounds not spent on patient care. "I am also alarmed at the apparent lack of accountability as it seems, when errors occur in the NHS, people are rarely held to account. “Perhaps if more action was taken, NHS Grampian would not have paid out over £2.3million more in compensation this year compared with last year.” In 2009, NHS Tayside settled 22 cases, which soared from 16 in 2007-08. However, NHS Grampian said the amount should be rationalised. They commented that the board has more than 1million patient contacts each year, and the vast majority are “very satisfied” with their care and treatment. A spokeswoman said: “The number of compensation claims has changed very little since 2004, when NHS Grampian was formed, at under 30 claims settled per year. “This represents a very small proportion of the number of patient contacts we have and does not reflect on NHS Grampian’s standards. One or two large claims will affect the total for a year. “The compensation money is gauged on future costs, such as the care which would be needed for an individual. It is not paid from NHS Grampian funds, but comes from its insurance scheme.” NHS Grampian working to improve hospital In an attempt to reduce the rising claims, NHS Grampian has begun a ‘clean-up’ in its hospital. The reform comes after a Healthcare Environment Inspectorate report in November highlighted issues needing to be addressed. The conclusion was that Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, demanded “urgent improvements”. Inspectors found a lack of communication between management and ward staff about controlling infections, and also realised that patients who should be in isolation were actually being treated in general wards, and stains and spillages had not been cleaned up. Now, NHS Grampian has said that the staff have worked hard to make the needed improvements. NHS Grampian chief executive Richard Carey commented on the improvement: “NHS Grampian is pleased that the inspectorate has acknowledged the advances being made.”