# NHS Resolution > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/NHS_Resolution > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/NHS_Resolution.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHS_Resolution > Source revision: 1352153826 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **NHS Resolution**, the operating name of **NHS Litigation Authority**, is an [arm's length body](/source/Non-departmental_public_body) of the [Department of Health and Social Care](/source/Department_of_Health_(UK)). It changed its name in April 2017. The organisation's purpose is to provide expertise to the NHS on resolving concerns fairly, share learning for improvement and preserve resources for patient care. ## History The NHS Litigation Authority was established in 1995 as a [special health authority](/source/NHS_special_health_authority).[2] Its current duties are established under the [National Health Service Act 2006](/source/National_Health_Service_Act_2006).[3] It began using the name NHS Resolution in April 2017, reflecting a change of role to "the early settlement of cases, learning from what goes wrong and the prevention of errors" according to [Jeremy Hunt](/source/Jeremy_Hunt), [Secretary of State for Health](/source/Secretary_of_State_for_Health_and_Social_Care).[4] ## Services NHS Resolution's strategic plan *Delivering fair resolution and learning from harm*, published in 2017 and updated in 2019, outlined a shift in emphasis away from predominantly claim management to proactive, earlier interventions to support families and staff.[5] The services provided include: - Claims management, for clinical and non-clinical claims - A tribunal service for primary care contracting disputes - Advice and support regarding concerns about the individual performance of doctors, dentists and pharmacists - Support to the NHS to aid understanding of claims risk, to assist patient safety activity.[5] ## Claims management In September 2023, NHS Resolution's annual report for 2022/23 stated that payments for clinical negligence in the NHS were £2.7bn of which 64% by value related to obstetric claims.[6] This increased to £2.8bn in 2023/24.[7] During 2023/24, NHS Resolution received 13,833 new clinical negligence claims, representing a 4% decrease from the previous year.[8] ## List of chairs - Ronald Bradshaw (1995–2007)[9] - [Joan Higgins](/source/Joan_Higgins) (2007–2013)[10][11] - Ian Dilks (2014–2020)[12] - Martin Thomas (2021–2022)[12][13] - Mike Pinkerton (2022) *interim*[14] - Sally Cheshire (2022–)[14] Helen Vernon has been chief executive since 2014.[15] ## References 1. ["Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23"](https://resolution.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4405-NHSR-Annual-Report-and-Accounts_Rollout_A_Access2.pdf). NHS Resolution. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2024. 1. ["NHS Litigation Authority: Who we are and what we do"](http://www.nhsla.com/AboutUs/Documents/NHS%20LA%20Who%20we%20are%20and%20what%20we%20do.pdf). NHS Litigation Authority. Retrieved 10 August 2014. 1. ["NHS Litigation Authority: Report and accounts 2012/13"](https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246509/0527.pdf). NHS Litigation Authority. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2014. 1. Dugdale, Mark (22 March 2017). ["NHS Litigation Authority to be renamed NHS Resolution"](https://www.claimsmag.co.uk/2017/03/nhs-litigation-authority-change-name-nhs-resolution-order-reflect-radical-change-focus/8445). *Claims Media*. Retrieved 2021-05-25. 1. ["Our refreshed 2019 to 2022 strategic plan"](https://resolution.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Our-refreshed-2019-2022-strategic-plan.pdf). *NHS Resolution*. September 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2021. 1. Kirby, Jane (5 September 2023). ["Payments for clinical negligence in NHS rise to almost £2.7bn"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/nhs-resolution-mistakes-nhs-england-department-of-health-and-social-care-b2405126.html). *The Independent*. Retrieved 30 March 2024. 1. ["NHS Medical Negligence Payouts Guide | What is the average NHS payout?"](https://www.patientclaimline.com/medicalnegligence/nhs-negligence-claims/nhs-negligence-payouts/). *Patient Claim Line*. Retrieved 2025-08-11. 1. ["NHS medical negligence statistics hub"](https://www.patientclaimline.com/medicalnegligence/nhs-negligence-claims/nhs-medical-negligence-statistics-hub/). *Patient Claim Line*. Retrieved 2025-08-11. 1. ["Ins and outs"](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2007/feb/07/publicsectorcareers.careers). *The Guardian*. 7 February 2007. Retrieved 30 March 2024. 1. Rozenberg, Joshua (11 October 2007). ["Law: Dame Joan opens the secret NHS door"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1565806/Law-Dame-Joan-opens-the-secret-NHS-door.html). *The Telegraph*. Retrieved 2021-05-25. 1. ["NHS Litigation Authority: Report and accounts 2013/14"](https://www.futurefocusedfinance.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/media-posts/139968_NHS%20LA%20Annual%20Report%20and%20Accounts%202013-14.pdf). *NHS Future Focused Finance*. p. 9. Retrieved 25 May 2021. 1. ["Martin Thomas joins NHS Resolution as new Chair"](https://resolution.nhs.uk/2021/01/05/martin-thomas-joins-nhs-resolution-as-new-chair/). NHS Resolution. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024. 1. ["Chair of NHS Resolution"](https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/appointment/chair-nhs-resolution-vac-1674/). *Cabinet Office*. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-25. 1. ["New Chair appointed for NHS Resolution"](https://resolution.nhs.uk/2022/08/25/new-chair-appointed-for-nhs-resolution/). NHS Resolution. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2024. 1. ["Whitehall, Public Sector and Regulatory"](https://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/gcs/gc-powerlist-2016/whitehall-public-sector-and-regulatory/). *Legal Business*. 2016-04-08. Retrieved 2021-05-25. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NHS Resolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHS_Resolution) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHS_Resolution?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.