NHS trusts in England have paid out more than £1.2 billion in misdiagnosis-related medical negligence claims over the past six years.
Figures obtained through a series of Freedom of Information requests by Medical Negligence Assist show that nearly 10,000 misdiagnosis claims – 9,989 in total – were lodged against NHS trusts between 2019/20 and 2024/25.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019/20, lodged claims stood at a high of 1,824.
While numbers dipped during the height of the pandemic – falling to 1,516 in 2021/22 – they have now risen to a six-year high of 1,922 new claims in the 2024/25 financial year.
“The figures highlight a deeply concerning trend that leaves patients paying the ultimate price. We regularly see cases where a delay in diagnosis leads to devastating, life-altering consequences – from delayed bowel cancer diagnoses resulting in tragic, premature deaths in patients in their early 50s, to missed ectopic pregnancies causing permanent infertility,” said Sophie Cope, medical negligence solicitor for JF Law.
“We have also supported patients who have suffered severe brain injuries due to delayed diagnoses of subarachnoid haemorrhages, and even amputations following missed ischaemia.”
“Misdiagnosis cases often involve some of the most serious outcomes we see,” said Matilda Blundell of medical malpractice law firm Tomlin & Partners. “Even relatively short delays can make a real difference to a patient’s prognosis, particularly with conditions like cancer or sepsis. These figures reflect the impact that missed or delayed diagnoses can have on patients and their families.”
North-South divide
Of the total claims lodged over the six-year period, 7,500 were settled. Total damages of £1.2 billion were paid out, equating to an average payout of £160,200 per successful claimant.
A distinct North-South divide has emerged in the data, with Southern regions seeing significantly higher overall compensation bills.
Greater London trusts paid out £148.5 million over the six-year period. By comparison, the highest-paying northern region was Greater Manchester at £95.8 million, followed by South Yorkshire (£40.8 million) and West Yorkshire (£37.7 million).
When looking at individual cases, successful claimants at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust came away with the highest average compensation, receiving £969,841 per claim. This was followed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (£522,677) and Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (£470,731).
In terms of the sheer volume of cases, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust faced the highest number of misdiagnosis claims over the six years, with 278 lodged against it. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust followed closely with 274 claims, and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust faced 221.
Some trusts saw almost all of their lodged claims result in a settlement. United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust had the highest settlement rate in the country, settling 152 of the 159 claims lodged against it – a staggering 95.6%. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust settled 100 out of 110 claims (90.9%), while County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust had a settlement rate of 90.8% (148 out of 163).
