Letter: Medical accidents are not negligence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Medical accidents are not negligence
From Mr Robin de Wilde, QC
Sir: Polly Toynbee is wrong to infer ("Legal leeches are bleeding the NHS", 28 February) that those involved in medical negligence cases are participating in what is effectively a plunder on the Legal Aid Board. No medical negligence action should be started with less than one, usually more, supporting reports from different medical experts of the appropriate disciplines.
There is a difference between a medical accident, often described as "one of those things", and actual negligence where someone is in breach of their professional duty of care, which is what medical negligence is about.
Not only should there be accountability by professionals, but there is provision for it, both by insurance and the Department of Health's scheme to indemnify hospitals for true claims of over pounds 300,000. Or is Ms Toynbee's view that people have to accept what happens to them?
Yours sincerely,
Robin de Wilde
Chairman
Professional Negligence
Bar Association
London, WC2
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments