The Justice Select Committee has just published its report on the Government’s draft legislation on the discount rate.
Commenting, Director of Claims Policy and Legal at the Medical Protection Society, Emma Hallinan, said:
“The Justice Select Committee is right to acknowledge that a balance must be struck between the interests of the claimant, and the affordability of rising clinical negligence payments to society.
“Without prompt action to change how the discount rate is set, the cost of clinical negligence to the NHS, society and healthcare professionals risks becoming unsustainable. The Government has said it intends to legislate promptly, to ensure the way the discount rate is set is put on the best possible footing at the earliest practicable date. We would encourage the Government to keep to their commitment to ensure this important legislation comes into force swiftly.”
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Notes:
Emma Hallinan, Director of Claims Policy and Legal at MPS, gave evidence to the committee inquiry on 1 November 2017.
For copies of the Justice Select Committee report (which was embargoed until 30 November 13:00hrs) see: www.parliament.uk/justicecttee
For further information about MPS contact: E: [email protected] T: 0207 640 5290.