Mr Simon Kayll, CEO at the Medical Protection Society said:
“We are extremely disappointed and concerned by the Scottish Government’s decision to follow England and Wales and reduce the Personal Injury Discount Rate so dramatically. A rate of -0.75% is unsustainable. Without sufficient support from Government for GPs, this decision will significantly increase the cost of settling future loss claims against the NHS and our members in Scotland at a time when the cost of clinical negligence is already at a high level. There is a direct link between any increase in the cost of claims and the subscription rates members pay, so we know this news will be very troubling for our members.
“Of course it is important that there is reasonable compensation for patients following clinical negligence, but this must be balanced against society’s ability to pay.
“It is crucial that changes are made so that in future the rate is set only after thorough consideration of the potential impact on the public purse, the NHS, doctors and the wider economy. We believe that the impact on claims for clinical negligence and the affordability of professional protection must be a key consideration.”
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For further information contact Shannon Darling: [email protected] or 0207 399 1319