NI medical negligence cases to be reviewed

The Department of Health is to review all outstanding medical negligence cases which are more than 10 years old.

Earlier this month, it emerged that there are 55 ongoing local cases which have lasted more than 15 years.

Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd, who had raised the issue at Stormont, welcomed the move by the department.

But he said he remained concerned that the minister had failed to disclose the full cost to the public purse of the delay in such cases.

In one year alone, the Health and Social Care Board spent almost £14.6m settling claims, with legal fees costing the taxpayer around £5m.

One medical negligence case involving a Northern Ireland family lasted for 27 years and closed without a settlement being reached.