MP Warns That Doctors Are Afraid Of Innovating
Conservative MP Michael Ellis has said that doctors are too scared to innovate for fear of being sued. He made his comments while moving a motion calling for a Medical Innovation Bill. The proposed bill aims to ensure that all doctors can be innovators and that all willing patients can be research patients. Mr Ellis said that greater approval would be required before patients could be used for innovative testing but that it would open the way for doctors to be able to find cures for diseases like cancer.
Medical negligence claims have risen considerably in the past few years. Last year alone the NHS paid out £1.2bn in compensation to those that successfully brought negligence claims against doctors. Patients that have suffered illness or endured any form of loss as a result of negligence on the part of doctors have a right to claim compensation but, according to Mr Ellis, the increasing likelihood of litigation means that many doctors are afraid to innovate.
While the quality and treatment received by NHS patients in the UK is typically very high, accidents and mistakes do happen. In cases where doctors and other healthcare professionals are found to have been negligent and the patient suffers some form of loss, it is possible for the patient to claim compensation.
The amount of compensation that a claimant is due will depend on the type and severity of the injury that they suffered. While minor injuries can attract claims of a few thousand pounds, more serious and long-term injuries may lead to several hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds. Medical negligence claims of these types are meant as recompense for lost earnings and to cover any expenses that the patient has to meet.
Despite Mr Ellis’ claims, patients that have endured additional illness or injury as a result of action or inaction by their doctors do have a right to claim compensation. Mr Ellis, however, points out that while doctors are afraid to offer innovative treatment options when all other options have been exhausted, they should be free to do so without fear of recrimination. What’s more, patients should be allowed to undergo innovative treatment offered by their doctors.
About The Author
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
