NHS to trial new mediation pilot

The NHS Litigation Authority (NHS LA) has announced the launch of a pilot scheme to provide mediation as a means of resolving patient disputes fairly.

The pilot has been developed in partnership with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), a not-for-profit body that campaigns for better resolution of disputes and management of conflicts and is Europe's largest independent alternative dispute resolution service for both commercial and consumer disputes.

The CEDR will be working closely with the NHS LA to deliver the service the new service, which chief executive of the NHS LA, Catherine Dixon says, "has been designed to support patients, families and NHS staff to work together to resolve claims for below standard NHS care".

The NHS LA will offer mediation under the scheme for all suitable claims involving the fatality of an infant or elderly person, or in the care of the elderly patients.

Dixon added: "We hope that it will help patients, their families and NHS staff resolve concerns quickly and cost effectively while also enabling all the parties to have their say without the need to go to court. We are excited about this important new service and hope that it be embraced by the NHS, patients and their families as a truly effective way of resolving claims in the NHS."

The CEDR state that approximately 75 per cent of its mediations result in a 'satisfactory outcome' within a single day with a further 20 per cent settling within 30 days or, at the least, achieve a narrowing of the issues in the dispute.

Dr Karl Mackie CBE, chief executive of CEDR, commented: "Of the many mediation initiatives CEDR has worked on in the last two decades this must count as one of most important in the UK, with real potential to revolutionise the way in which disputes with the NHS are resolved to the benefit of all concerned."