MORE than four patients a week are being compensated by the NHS after claiming botched care left them losing a limb, unable to see or suffering from cosmetic scarring.
In the last five years the NHS has paid out compensation to 605 patients who suffered needless amputations, 315 who were left blind after poor hospital care and 162 who sustained cosmetic injuries as a result of negligent treatment.
GettyOfficials said there were another 162 cases where people were compensated after claiming botched care led to them suffering cosmetic disfigurement[/caption]
GettyThere were also 314 successful claims where patients said poor care had led to them losing their sight[/caption]
The compensation bill to all these people from NHS Resolution has now reached £276million – meaning these cases are costing the NHS more than £150,000 every day.
The biggest group of claimants were people who won legal cases against hospitals saying negligent care meant they had to have an amputation.
In total over the last five years there were 605 payouts to people who had lost a limb with the compensation totalling £189million, meaning the average payout for the loss of an arm, foot or leg was more than £300,000.
Ayanle Omer received a £2.35million payout last year after he had to have his leg amputated when medics failed to spot he had developed sepsis which almost killed him.
Ayanle’s lawyers claimed medics and Northwick Park Hospital, in London, did not spot the clear signs of sepsis while he was suffering from pain in his leg and ankle.
He ended up in a coma, and eventually underwent a dozen operations including the removal of his right leg.
There were also 314 successful claims where patients said poor care had led to them losing their sight, which resulted in payouts of £80m, meaning the average compensation cheque of £255,000.
Officials said there were another 162 cases where people were compensated after claiming botched care led to them suffering cosmetic disfigurement.
These people were paid a total of £7m, meaning the average claim for this type of scarring was around £40,000.
John McQuater, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said: “Compensation exists to help get injured patient’s lives back on track, and to meet their additional needs.
It is never a windfall, nor a reward for being a victim of negligence.
“Patients should be able to expect to receive treatment and not end up losing their limbs or their sight when it could be avoided. But when the worst happens, the appropriate routes to redress should always be available.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “Incidents like these are extremely rare, however when they do happen, the NHS is committed to learning from them to improve care for future patients.”