Medical negligence cost taxpayer three times initial estimate

The Department of Health and Social Care says it's massively underestimated the total amount it paid out in medical negligence claims over the last five years.

In response to a freedom of information request earlier this month, it said it had paid out £969,926 in settlements and damages since 2011, and almost £1.4 million in legal costs.

Now, however, it's issued a new answer to the question with updated figures.

Since 2011, it now says settlements and damages cost the taxpayer £3.2 million and it spent almost £1.9 million in legal costs.