New report reveals the NHS ‘is in serious trouble’
Negligence claims soar as confidence in the UK’s healthcare system plummets to a record low.
As solicitors who work on medical negligence claims, we see the devastating impact that inadequate care can have on patients and their families.
Lord Darzi’s rapid review of the NHS reveals serious shortcomings in the UK’s healthcare system and these problems reflect the issues we’ve seen when supporting people affected by medical negligence within the NHS.
Rightly, the report raises concerns about a recent surge in medical negligence claims, underscoring the growing dissatisfaction with the standard of care.
The 163-page report comes at a time when public confidence in the government and its handling of the NHS is at an all-time low. While it highlights significant problems, its recommendations remain largely predictable, focusing on more funding and better resources without offering concrete solutions.
In the last year alone (2023/24), the NHS paid out over £2.8 billion in compensation and associated costs, an increase of just under £200 million on the previous year. Some of that money has been paid to clients of Wilkin Chapman to help them to adjust to their lives after receiving substandard care from the health service. It is important that cases of medical negligence are continued to be brought to light and learned from.
Inadequate treatment can lead to catastrophic, life-changing injuries that drastically reduce a patient’s quality of life. While Lord Darzi’s report is a much-needed step in the right direction, it remains clear that unless significant, systemic changes are made, the demand for legal representation in medical negligence cases will only continue to rise.
The issues are widespread, affecting everything from chronic healthcare conditions to emergency services. Waiting times in A&E are one of the starkest indicators of the crisis. In 2010, nearly all patients (94%) were seen within four hours; today, in 2024, that figure has plummeted to just over 60%.
Longer waiting times, an ageing population, and mismanaged spending are some of the key concerns identified in the review. These factors affect the quality of care and can contribute to the rise in negligence claims. The report also highlights that while life expectancy is slowly increasing, people are spending more years in poor health, signalling a decline in overall quality of life.
In our work, we’ve seen this first-hand. From surgical issues to misdiagnoses, many patients we represent are living with serious, life-altering conditions that could have been prevented. Some have died as a result of these failings.
Without decisive action to address these systemic failings, more individuals will find themselves in similar situations, requiring legal recourse to seek compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.
The NHS is facing increasing pressure, with public health funding slashed by 25% in real terms over the past decade. This reduction has forced the NHS to meet surging demand with fewer resources, creating an environment where key targets are consistently missed.
For example, more than one million people are currently waiting for access to community services. Meanwhile, mortality rates in critical areas such as cardiovascular care are rising, and cancer treatment targets are being missed. The NHS has failed to meet its goal of treating cancer patients within 62 days of referral since 2015, putting vulnerable patients at even greater risk.
It’s clear that something must change. The NHS cannot continue to function under these conditions. While financial investment is crucial, it must be paired with thoughtful, systemic reforms. A shift towards preventive care could help alleviate pressure by addressing health issues before they escalate. Likewise, better resource allocation and workforce support are essential to improving patient outcomes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted these concerns during a speech in London last week, stating:
“The NHS is at a fork in the road, and we have a choice about how it should meet these rising demands. Raise taxes on working people to meet the ever-higher costs of an ageing population – or reform to secure its future. We know working people can’t afford to pay more, so it’s reform or die.”
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The NHS is the backbone of the UK’s healthcare system, and the current trajectory is unsustainable and the consequences of this are devastating. Society, alongside the medical profession, must demand better standards of care. Whilst the cost of compensation claims continues to rise, the answer cannot be to prevent, or limit, an individual’s access to appropriate compensation and justice when they have suffered because of unacceptable care.
If you or someone you know has experienced medical negligence or are concerned about the quality of treatment you’ve received, it’s essential to seek expert advice. Our dedicated team of medical negligence solicitors is here to provide guidance and support, helping you navigate the complexities of your case with the expertise you need during these challenging times.
Contact Jonathan to discuss this further.
