The National Audit Office (NAO) has voiced fears over the way clinical negligence claims are handled by the NHS - and patients' groups have warned that it should not be left to its own devices given its record.

According to the NAO, only 24% of trusts routinely informed patients of how to get redress, while 6% did not inform patients at all.


The NAO investigations come as the government's NHS Redress Bill - aimed at keeping disputes out of the courts by providing early apologies and compensation - is debated in the House of Lords.


Peter Walsh, chief executive of Action Against Medical Accidents, said: 'We know that in cases where negligent treatment is shown to have caused harm, the NHS has usually investigated itself already and not admitted liability. In the most stubbornly defended cases (those that go to court), 80% are ultimately judged in favour of the claimant. The injured patient would stand little chance of a fair outcome if the NHS were to be left to its own devices.'