The DHSC has outlined a series of improvements aimed at reducing the risk of future clinical negligence claims and associated payouts.
The initiatives follow the revelation that £1,003,067.38 has been paid for clinical negligence claims since Manx Care’s inception in April 2021.
In a Tynwald written answer, Health Minister Claire Christian stated the DHSC maintains “oversight of the broader complaints and duty of candour process,” with a “strategic aim of preventing, as far as possible, situations where service users feel compelled to make a claim for clinical negligence”.
Strategy
The strategy itself focuses on four key areas. Manx Care is “continually strengthening Clinical Governance arrangements” and has “actively moved to a clinical led model of leadership in 2025″.
A significant focus is also being put on improving communication and informed consent, which if not managed well can lead to claims.
Clinicians are also encouraged to use plain language and ensure consent is properly documented.
Further measures include enhancing patient safety culture by promoting non-punitive error reporting and conducting root cause analyses of incidents.
The financial data, provided in a separate answer, shows 12 of 26 recent claims have been closed, with 14 outstanding. The largest payouts were in Critical Care and Anaesthetics (£690,379.14), followed by the Acute Medical Unit (£196,457.40).