Hospital compo fees hit €60m so far this year

NEARLY €60 million in compensation for hospital-related claims has been paid out so far this year, an increase of 25% on the cost of claims settled last year.

The State Claims Agency paid out €48m in settled claims last year.

Health Minister, Mary Harney, who launched a package of patient safety measures in Dublin yesterday, said a heavy price was being paid for not focusing on a patient-safety agenda.