IHRD-94 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Clinical Negligence Litigation Reform

Recommendation

The interests of patient safety must prevail over the interests engaged in clinical negligence litigation. Such litigation can become an obstacle to openness. A government committee should examine whether clinical negligence litigation as it presently operates might be abolished or reformed and/or whether appropriate alternatives can be recommended.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Northern Ireland Executive's March 2018 statement, this recommendation was accepted in principle and was "under consideration", and that no government committee had been established to examine clinical negligence litigation reform. According to Department of Health NI Implementation Programme updates, as of January 2024, the status remained "Awaiting Response". According to independent evidence from February 2026, no government committee has been established to examine clinical negligence litigation reform, indicating no progress on this recommendation in eight years.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.health-ni.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Northern Ireland Executive
01 Mar 2018

Under consideration. No government committee established to date to examine clinical negligence litigation reform.

Read Full Response
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Not Implemented
06 Feb 2026
Northern Ireland Executive Other

No government committee has been established to examine clinical negligence litigation reform. No progress in 8 years.

View detailed findings

Recommendation 94 called for a government committee to examine whether clinical negligence litigation might be abolished or reformed. No such committee has been established. The broader context of Executive collapses (2017-2020, 2022-2024) has provided political cover for inaction, but even during functioning periods no steps were taken.

IHRD Implementation Programme View Source
Source
Inquiry Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Report Report of the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths 31 Jan 2018
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Northern Ireland Executive Primary
Themes & Tags
Clinical negligence harms learning Duty of Candour implementation Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny Litigation Patient Safety Reform
Recommendation age 8.1 yrs
Last formal update 783 days ago