WIGAN and Bolton Health Authority's total payout of more than £1.8 million in compensation and court costs for medical mistakes last year has sparked concern from local MPs.

The figure, revealed in the BEN last week, was one of the highest in the country.

Health Minister John Hutton told Labour Backbencher Frank Field that the total costs for clinical negligence, including damages and lawyers' fees, faced by the authority rose from nothing in 1996-97 to £1,892,000 in 1997-98.

For Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, the figures were nothing in 1996-97 and £491,000 in 1997-98.

Reforms

Bolton MPs Brian Iddon and David Crausby are concerned about the rising costs of compensation claims against health authorities and are calling for major reforms.

Bolton South East's Dr Iddon said: "I think we need to move to a 'no fault' compensation scheme where people are paid out for medical accidents on the basis of need.

"Most of the money paid out now is going into the pockets of lawyers and we want to take the lawyers out of the system.

"We also want to end the lottery where some people get huge payouts in the courts and others get nothing if the decision goes against them."

Bolton North East MP David Crausby said: "There seems to be an obsession with people taking public authorities to court. We need to have major reform.

"I am particularly concerned about the two policewomen who are seeking £800,000 compensation for stress after Dunblane.

"Too much taxpayers' money is going into the pockets of lawyers and we need to do something to make sure that money goes to those people who really need it."

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