Randerson Hopeful on NHS Redress Measure

5.09.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jul 2007

Jenny Randerson AM today challenged the Labour Health Minister in Plenary on the NHS Redress Measure which is being developed using the Assembly's new powers. It would allow lower value clinical negligence claims to be settled without expensive legal proceedings. A package of remedies including financial compensation would be used.

Welsh Lib Dem Health spokesperson Jenny Randerson AM, said "The current system for redress when things have gone wrong is long winded and often fails to put right the problems associated with NHS failures.

"Constituents and professionals alike come to me at the end of their tether and they don't usually want monetary compensation. They just want lessons to be learnt and an acknowledgement that their case should have been handled better.

"It is vital that Social Services and Primary Care are included at the same time as many cases cross boundaries of care and it is important that these boundaries are not a barrier to any redress. The alternative is a 'pot luck' approach when things go wrong.

"The proposed measure currently allows Ministers enormous discretion e.g. re whether or not a legal aid scheme is established so I will be seeking assurances from the minister on this."

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