The total value of clinical claims associated with emergency medicine was nearly £700m in 2022/23, making them the second highest total value of claims by speciality.

This podcast looks at claims in the emergency department and what can be learned from them to help improve safety.

Host Justine Sharpe, Safety and Learning Lead, NHS Resolution is joined by:

- Dr Chris Moulton, Emergency Medicine Consultant, Royal Bolton Hospital, National Lead, GIRFT-EM and iUEC;

- Dr Darren Best, Workstream Manager, iUEC, GIRFT;

- Dr Emma Redfern, Emergency Medicine Consultant, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, Deputy Medical Director, NHSE SW.

The episode references three reports released by NHS Resolution in 2022 which aimed to provide clinical staff working in emergency departments with national learning from what NHS Resolution sees in claims across emergency medicine in England.

It also provides advice and best practice examples of how teams can use claims data to help drive improvements in safety.

Links to resources:

• NHS Resolution Emergency Department reports

https://resolution.nhs.uk/resources/clinical-negligence-claims-in-emergency-departments-in-england-three-thematic-reviews/

• GIRFT Summary Emergency Department Indicator Table (SEDIT) https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/medical_specialties/emergency-medicine/

• GIRFT national report for emergency medicine (2021): https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/medical_specialties/emergency-medicine/

• More information on the GIRFT workstream for emergency medicine: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/medical_specialties/emergency-medicine/

Between the 1st of January 2009 and the 31st of December 2019, NHS Resolution received 232 claims concerning delay in the diagnosis of spinal infection. Out of these 232 claims, 85 were settled with damages paid, 43 without merit and 104 remain open. The total cost of closed claims is £112,396,538. This includes payments for claimant legal costs, NHS legal costs and damages although the cost will be higher when we factor in costs associated with periodical payments.

In this podcast, NHS Resolution’s Safety and Learning Lead (North) speaks to Dr Lisa Grandidge (Specialist Registrar in spinal injuries) and consultant physiotherapists Susan Greenhalgh, Laura Finucane and Ellie Dunstan about causes and symptoms of spinal infection, the importance of early diagnosis and the significant spinal injuries that can result where there has been a delay in diagnosis.

Through the discussion of research findings and themes identified within successful claims concerning a delay in the diagnosis of spinal, Naomi and her co-hosts highlight the importance of history taking, looking for red flags and robust safety netting of patients presenting to healthcare services with potential spinal infection.