A recent Freedom of Information request revealed that United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has spent more than £17 million in compensation over the past 5 years, of which over £3 million was paid in respect of compensation in children’s medical negligence claims.

The Trust, which covers Lincoln County Hospital, Grantham and District Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital Boston and County Hospital Louth, has had 51 claims reported to NHS Resolution since 2019. 33 of these cases have been settled so far, with a total of £3,162,757 in damages paid.

NHS Resolution, the legal branch of the NHS, received a total of 6,536 reports of children’s medical negligence across all NHS Trusts since 2019, the majority of these related to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

The Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group responded to this data by stating: ‘While we are not able to comment on the specific detail of the claims referred to in this Freedom of Information request made to NHS Resolution, we acknowledge that any failure to provide care to the high standards we expect can impact upon our patients and their loved ones.’

Whilst the specific details of the claims against the United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are confidential, they can include;

• Injury sustained at birth, including cerebral palsy
• Traumatic brain injury
• Delay in administering treatment
• Misdiagnosis/delay in diagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Death

At Williamsons Solicitors, we have significant experience in pursing claims in respect of negligence suffered by children and we understand that your child not receiving the care that they deserve and suffering life changing injuries as a result is extremely traumatic and every parent’s worst nightmare. We have represented and supporting families through this, including seeking interim payments of compensation, when admissions can be secured, to help with paying for expenses, such as therapy/treatment, equipment and care that may be needed as a result of the negligence.

If you feel that your child has received inadequate medical care and has suffered injury as a result, whether from the United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust or an alternative NHS Trust, please contact our medical negligence team on 01482 323697 to discuss how we can help.