- What policies does the Trust have in place to identify, investigate and report potential cases of clinical negligence?
The Trust has a Claims Management Policy which identifies how any claims (CNST, EPLS, PLS) are managed in line with NHS LA requirements and Civil Procedure Rules.
- In the financial year 2015/16, how much did the Trust spend in-house on managing clinical negligence claims?
It is not possible to identify costs relating to the in-house management of clinical negligence claims as there is one legal team for the Trust who will report all claims (clinical negligence and personal injury) to the NHS LA and manage the process from the Trust perspective. As this team is also responsible for the management of all HMC cases it is not possible to break down the time spent between these two functions and then calculate the associated internal costs as team members do not capture time and motion activity relating to each individual claim.
- In the financial year 2015/16, how much did the Trust spend in-house on managing all personal injury claims (e.g. clinical, employer’s /public liability etc.)?
It is not possible to identify costs relating to the in-house management of personal injury claims as there is one legal team for the Trust who will report all claims (clinical negligence and personal injury) to the NHS LA and manage the process from the Trust perspective. As this team is also responsible for the management of all HMC cases it is not possible to break down the time spent between these two functions and then calculate the associated internal costs as team members do not capture time and motion activity relating to each individual claim.
- How many full-time equivalent staff within the Trust’s employment are responsible for managing clinical negligence claims? What is the total annual pay bill for these members of staff?
Currently the Trust legal team consists of the following people in post who are managing the claims process as part of their duties and their pay scales
Legal Manager – 1.0wte Band 7 (AFC payscale £31,381 – £41,373)
Legal Officer – 1.0wte Band 5 (AFC payscale £21,909 – £28,462)
Legal Administrator – 1.0wte Band 3 (AFC payscale £16,800 – £19,655)
Legal Administration Support – 1.0wte Band 2 (AFC payscale £15,251 – £17,978)
There is also 1.0wte Band 8b Head of Investigations & Legal who oversees the legal team along with two other separate teams within the Safety & Governance Directorate.
- How many full-time equivalent staff within the Trust’s employment are responsible for managing all types of personal injury claim? What is the total annual pay bill for these members of staff?
Currently the Trust legal team consists of the following establishment;
Legal Manager – 1.0wte Band 7 (AFC payscale £31,381 – £41,373)
Legal Officer – 1.0wte Band 5 (AFC payscale £21,909 – £28,462)
Legal Administrator – 1.0wte Band 3 (AFC payscale £16,800 – £19,655)
Legal Administration Support – 1.0wte Band 2 (AFC payscale £15,251 – £17,978)
There is also 1.0wte Band 8b Head of Investigations & Legal who oversees the legal team along with two other separate teams within the Safety & Governance Directorate.
- In total, how much did the Trust spend in 2015/16 on contracting outside providers (e.g. solicitors), other than the NHS LA, to deal with clinical negligence claims.
It is not possible to provide a breakdown of costs associated with contacting outside providers as there is one legal team for the Trust who will report all claims (clinical negligence and personal injury) to the NHS LA and manage the process from the Trust perspective. As this team is also responsible for the management of all HMC cases it is not possible to break down the time spent between these two functions and then calculate the associated internal costs as team members do not capture time and motion activity relating to each individual claim .
