The health service in Northern Ireland has spent over £146m on compensation and legal fees since 2009 - paying proportionately more than its counterparts in England and Wales. The figures, released by the Department of Health, were criticised by Jim Allister, leader of Traditional Unionist Voice and a member of the Legislative Assembly. He said: 'I do have to question the oversight and efficiency measures which accompany such a scenario.  Of course, anyone with a legitimate claim against a trust must be compensated, but why is the trend so much upwards - is there increasing negligence - and why are legal fees almost as high as the pay outs?'

Cases expedited

A Health Department spokesman said: 'Legal cases are now being expedited, particularly long standing negligence cases. The level of compensation paid in settled cases varies considerably depending on the individual circumstances of each case.' Source: Belfast Telegraph