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Written question asked by Stella Creasy (Labour) on Friday, 9 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 15 January 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

NHS: Negligence

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the restriction on pursuing clinical negligence cases to direct financial dependents only in cases where an individual has died on the justice system.

Answer

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the restriction on pursuing clinical negligence cases to direct financial dependents only in cases where an individual has died on the justice system.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. The review is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office report.

We welcome the recent report by the National Audit Office on the costs of clinical negligence. The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point, and the Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
104475
Session
2024-26
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2025-0460
Monday, 7 July 2025
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects
Administration of justice NHS Negligence
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk