England and Wales introduce new system for medical negligence claims

The biggest changes this century to the way medical negligence claims in England and Wales are dealt with came into effect this week. In cases of serious adverse outcomes, patients will be entitled for the first time to an explanation of what happened. New procedures to encourage openness, the early release of medical notes, and early settlement should revolutionise a system which up until now has been plagued by high costs, delays, and mistrust. …