Oxford hospital paid £430,000+ in gynaecology-related negligence claims

New figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests by Medical Negligence Assist (MNA), reveal the trust recorded 46 claims between 2020/21 and 2024/25.

Of those, 11 were settled, with total damages of £431,366 paid over the five-year period - an average of £39,215 per successful claim.

The OUH carried out over 80,000 gynaecology procedures on its various sites between 2020 and 2025

Neighbouring Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust recorded 15 claims across the same period but paid no compensation.

Hampshire recorded higher payouts totalling £1,969,155 between 2020/21 and 2024/25.

The majority - £1,798,602 - came from Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, which settled 15 of 29 claims - an average of £119,906 each.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust paid £170,553 to settle ten claims, while University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust paid no damages despite receiving multiple claims.

Across Hampshire, 25 claimants received compensation, averaging £78,766 per case - roughly double the average settlement value in Oxfordshire.

An OUH spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on individual cases, however, we sincerely apologise to all of the patients who were involved in these incidents.

"We are committed to delivering high quality, safe and effective care to the people who we serve. We work closely with patients, families and carers to resolve any compensation claim at the earliest opportunity.

“As an organisation, we are also continually looking at how we can learn and improve the care we deliver in partnership with our patients, families and carers."

Any compensation is not paid directly by OUH, but by NHS Resolution (NHSR).

NHSR is a Special Health Authority which provides an indemnity scheme for clinical negligence claims for NHS trusts in England and Wales, the clinician Negligence Scheme for Trusts. Members pay an annual contribution, or premium, to NHSR for this cover.

NHSR are then responsible for the investigation and management of all CNST claims made against their member Trusts and, when considered appropriate, the decision to make, negotiate, and pay any settlements.

The assessment of clinical negligence claims can be very complex from a medical treatment and prognosis perspective.

It can take several years to investigate and assess the past, present and future care, support and treatment requirements, which in turn can mean that some of the claims against NHS trusts take several years to reach an agreed financial settlement.

Nationally, 94 NHS trusts in England paid a combined £91,817,142 in gynaecology-related damages over the five-year period.

Solicitor Gareth LLoyd, at JF Law, said: “Negligence in gynaecological care can lead to serious injuries such as infertility, bladder and bowel problems, which can throw people's lives upside down.

“With the Labour government promising to tackle problems within the NHS, this £100 million compensation bill should prompt them to put an effective plan in place to tackle the issues and raise the standard of care.”

The figures follow Imperial College, London research that found gynaecologists and obstetricians recorded high-levels of ‘burnout’ since 2020. The World Health Organisation recognises ‘burnout’ as an ‘occupational phenomenon’ resulting in exhaustion and if unchecked, can lead to a lack of empathy and compassion towards patients.

Medical Negligence Assist offers expert legal support and advice to those affected.