Recommendation BRIS-37: Urgently review compensation system for medical harm, replacing clinical negligence
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
There should be an urgent review of the system for providing compensation to those who suffer harm arising out of medical care. The review should be concerned with the introduction of an administrative system for responding promptly to patients’ needs in place of the current system of clinical negligence and should take account of other administrative systems for meeting the financial needs of the public. (See further the Recommendations on the safety of care.)
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say completed (27 February 2026)
The Thirlwall Inquiry has noted action taken in response to this recommendation. Please see response to recommendation 119.
Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Closed”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 37, PDF page 88.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said it had announced plans to produce a White Paper early in 2002, discussing options for reform to the system for dealing with clinical negligence claims.
A report was published by the Department of Health in July 2003, setting out proposals for reforming the approach to clinical negligence in the NHS. The NHS Redress Act 2006, containing provisions for the establishment of a redress scheme outside the scope of civil proceedings, was enacted but never brought into force.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review colours its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green, which it uses to mark evidence, identified by the legal team, that a recommendation has been clearly implemented. Table row: section 6.2 No. 37, PDF page 84.
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding