NHS Redress Act 2006

This Bill contains a new scheme for providing “quick and appropriate” responses to cases of clinical negligence which are of low monetary value.

A long-awaited response to chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson’s “Making Amends” consultation on reforming the clinical negligence system, the NHS Redress Bill has been another victim of parliamentary time pressures.

Despite Sir Liam Donaldson releasing the paper in July 2003, and health minister Rosie Winterton promising that action would be taken in 2004, this is the first sign that the government will finally act on its promise to reform clinical negligence.

The aim of the Bill is to provide an alternative to litigation as well as reducing delays and creating a more consistent and coherent system.

The NHS Litigation Authority would take charge of the scheme, which would only apply to cases being brought within a certain time limit which are below a certain value.

House of Lords

First reading: October 12 2005 (HL Bill 22)

Second reading: November 2 2005

Committee stage:

• 1st day: November 21 2005
• 2nd day: November 23 2005
• The Bill as amended: (HL Bill 45)

Report stage: February 15 2006

Third reading: March 1 2006

House of Commons

First reading: March 1 2006 [HC Bill 137]

Second reading: June 5 2006

Standing Committee B:

• 1st sitting: June 14 2006 (am)
• 2nd sitting: June 14 2006 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: June 16 2006 (am)

Remaining stages: July 13 2006

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amendments: October 25 2006; November 6 2006

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments: November 6 2006

Royal Assent: November 8 2006