A RECORD number of NHS patients were paid compensation last year after doctors failed to spot they had cancer.
In total, 319 payouts were made in 2023 — nearly double the 181 made in the last year before Covid struck, suggesting the health service is struggling to recover from the pressures of the pandemic.
In that three-year timespan the compensation bill has soared from £21.7million to £35.9million. The typical payout is about £110,000.
Patients can sue for negligence if medical staff have misinterpreted medical data such as scan results, biopsies or blood tests.
But cases can also be brought where a delay in diagnosis was due to administrative mistakes or other hospital delays.
Payouts will be greater where patients were forced to have more severe life-changing treatment because of missed diagnosis.
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Over the past three years, 811 people have won a total of £94.3million for cancer delays.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust paid £2,830,617 for 18 cases, while University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust had 16 cases that cost £2,455,718.
They were among 5,085 payouts for misdiagnosis of any ailment. John Lowther, of Slater and Gordon law firm, said: “Early detection can mean the difference between life and death.”
The NHS said it was treating 30 per cent more cases than eight years ago and offered screening to three million people last year.
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Richard Moriarty
