NHS trusts across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have paid out more than £115 million in compensation for children’s medical negligence claims in the last five years, a new investigation has revealed.
Four NHS trusts in the region have had a combined total of 142 claims and incidents of children’s medical negligence reported to NHS Resolution, according to data obtained by Medical Negligence Assist.
Between them, the trusts have settled 87 claims with damages amounting to an eye-watering £115,137,153 - not including NHS or claimant legal costs paid.
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Between 2019 and 2024, it has had 27 incidents reported to the NHS legal body.
The highest number of claims, however, were settled by University Hospital Southampton Trust which forked out a further £21,911,586 settling 33 legal cases lodged against it.
Death, brain damage, cerebral palsy and bowel damage are just some of the conditions and injuries children have sustained as a result of medical negligence.
Failure and delays in treatment and diagnosis are among the top causes of child clinical negligence claims being lodged against NHS trusts and have cost the health service more than £3 billion in compensation payouts alone in the last five years.
Death as a result of clinical negligence was the most prevalent type of claim, of which there have been 465 lodged against NHS Trusts in the last five years, with settlement payouts amounting to £34,269,501.
Solicitor Sophie Cope said: "While some people understandably worry that making a claim will affect frontline care, the reality is that hospitals and GPs are always insured against such claims.
"As such, any damages owed are paid by the insurers and do not affect the care other patients are receiving.
"It is vital that any medical negligence is addressed to prevent serious and life-altering consequences for patients and their families."
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A spokesperson for Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust said: “Safe and effective medical care is a fundamental priority for our trust and we deeply regret where this has fallen short.
"No one should ever suffer harm as a result of poor or negligent care and we work extremely hard to manage and minimise risk.
"Every safety incident is recorded and thoroughly investigated, and we actively encourage staff to speak up if they have concerns.
"It is important patients and their loved ones feel able to raise any concerns with the teams looking after them, and our patient liaison team can always be contacted for help and support."
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