Lord Phillips calls for no-fault clinical negligence scheme

The state should fund a no-fault compensation scheme for clinical negligence claims to cut down on costly court appearances, the Master of the Rolls has said.

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers said he was 'horrified' at the soaring cost of clinical negligence claims, and a no-fault compensation scheme where people would be automatically compensated for mistakes should be 'looked at carefully'.

John Kitchingman, head of clinical negligence at Manchester-based Pannone & Partners, said: 'I cannot believe that such a scheme is either necessary or workable.

It is not necessary because clinical negligence cases are increasingly in the hands of specialist solicitors.' He said the scheme was unworkable largely on account of the volume of large claims and the costs to the NHS clinical negligence scheme.Victoria MacCallum