Study reveals scale of vascular claims

[RESEARCH CARRIED OUT in 2020 by three surgeons at two Lancashire hospitals and published in the Annals of Vascular Surgery revealed that vascular surgery is a specialty with a disproportionately high number of claims for clinical negligence. The researchers – Vivak Hansrani, Tamer Ghatwary Tantawy and Haytham Al-Khaffaf –analysed clinical negligence claims in vascular surgery between the financial years 2005/2006 and 2018/2019.

According to the introduction to the paper, over the 13-year period 1,189 claims in vascular surgery were identified, with an annual mean of 91 within a range of 20-134 claims per year.

“Of the 1,189 claims, 875 (74%) are closed with payments made to the claimants. The mean annual total payment was £10,015,373. Delay in treatment was the most common cause for litigation claims in vascular surgery with 157 closed claims costing £33,255,248 over the 13-year period. Lower limb amputation was the most common primary injury claim with 140 closed cases but had a larger financial cost at £64,155,969.”

The analysis also found that clinical negligence claims in vascular surgery in the UK have been increasing steadily over that period and ‘with a changing claims culture’ is expected to continue.

“Improved consent, better communication with patients and a higher surgical skill level could significantly reduce the number of future claims.” q