The trust said it strives to deliver the highest possible care to patients and had robust structures in place to address any shortfalls in standards.
It is responsible for running Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Yeovil Hospital and numerous community hospitals, minor injuries units and the county's mental health provision.A medical negligence claim may arise if a patient suffers unnecessary or avoidable harm, said theThe FoI, covering the period from July 2022 to July 2023, revealed that 77 medical negligence claims had been lodged against the trust - with a total of £13,511,879 being paid out.
Nick Banks, head of medical negligence at JF Law, said patients should not worry about making a claim against trusts for fear of diverting funds from frontline services."While some people understandably worry that making a claim will affect frontline care, the reality is that hospitals and GPs are always insured against such claims."As such, any damages owed are paid by the insurers, and do not affect the care other patients are receiving.