NHS Trusts paid £4.2m in damages for hospital-acquired infection claims, highlighting urgent prevention needs.
NHS Trusts across the UK have paid over £4.2 million in damages for healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) claims since 2021, new findings reveal. The investigation by Medical Negligence Assist highlights the rising financial and human toll of infections acquired in healthcare settings.
Big financial impact from 66 successful claims
Healthcare-associated infections, commonly referred to as hospital-acquired infections, occur during medical treatment or from contact with healthcare services. Recent data shows that between 2021 and 2024, 85 claims were lodged against 76 NHS Trusts due to HCAIs. Of these, 66 claims were successful, resulting in significant payouts.
The total financial impact of these claims, including legal fees, reached £8.3 million. Damages alone accounted for £4.2 million, while claimant legal costs stood at £3.3 million. NHS legal costs added £753,000 to the overall figure.
The human impact of HCAIs
HCAIs can exacerbate existing conditions, delay recovery, and, in severe cases, result in permanent harm or death. Patients with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, with infections such as sepsis posing life-threatening risks.
One high-profile case occurred at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) in 2021. Two babies tragically died after contracting Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacterial infection that led to sepsis. An internal investigation revealed that the outbreak, which affected seven infants, could have been prevented.
The scale of the problem
HCAIs remain a significant challenge for the NHS, with approximately 300,000 people in England affected annually. Rising infection rates of bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas have become a growing concern. According to the UK Health Security Agency, 11,823 Klebsiella cases were recorded in 2022-23, a 3% increase from the previous year.
The financial and human costs of these infections make clear the importance of robust infection prevention and control measures. The NHS has long set targets to reduce bloodstream infections, but other bacterial infections are proving harder to manage. The latest NHS Standard Contract includes updated thresholds to drive further reductions in HCAIs.
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