Nottingham Health Trust fined

I agree. I've never been able to understand the logic of fining public services for neglect, etc because it takes money away from providing services to others. Certainly, there should be compensation and some form of punishment for those involved, although that just encourages people to close ranks and not admit to mistakes, so improvements can't be made.

I don't know the answer either.

They have insurance.

Germanshepherdsmum

They have insurance.

However, District Judge Grace Leong said she was "acutely aware" the fine would be paid for by funding that would usually be used for patient care. quoted from the article. Is she wrong? Rather worrying if she doesn't know the full situation. I assume that even if they do have insurance the premiums will rocket after such a claim? They certainly do if you have a huge car insurance claim.

There is a body called NHS Resolution which deals with claims. It acts as an insurer. Each NHS Trust pays premiums as you would to an ordinary insurance company.

Thank you GSM for that information.
I was thinking that this fine does not make sense, if it reduces money available for patient care. Given the number of infant deaths and poor treatment at this Maternity centre, I guess there may be more fines, but there must be reform, not just fines.

Germanshepherdsmum

There is a body called NHS Resolution which deals with claims. It acts as an insurer. Each NHS Trust pays premiums as you would to an ordinary insurance company.

Thanks GSM, that's better to know that Trust won't be struggling on even meaner resources.
As an aside, does anybody know what happens to fines like this? Do they just get directed into government funds? If so I'd hope they'd be immediately redirected back into some aspect of health care.

Yes they do.

Sorry, I meant yes the fine goes into government funds.

Presumably NHS Resolution does not pay out on every claim by an NHS Trust. Surely they assess claims as any insurer does.

Indeed.