NHS Litigation Authority links up with CEDR to launch mediation service

The National Health Service Litigation Authority has launched a mediation service in association with the Centre for Dispute Resolution (CEDR).

The service will provide access to an independent and accredited mediator, drawn from a range of backgrounds.

The NHSLA said there would be an opportunity for face-to-face discussion between the healthcare provider, the patient and/or their family, with the support of the mediator.

“During the mediation process legal rights remain intact and if either party is unhappy with the outcome, the case can still proceed to court,” it added.

Catherine Dixon, the authority’s chief executive, said: “Our new mediation service has been designed to support patients, families and NHS staff to work together to resolve claims for below standard NHS care. We hope that it will help patients, their families and NHS staff resolve concerns quickly and cost effectively whilst also enabling all the parties to meet to have their say without the need to go to court.”

CEDR’s chief executive Dr Karl Mackie CBE said: “Of the many mediation initiatives CEDR has worked on in the last two decades this must count as one of most important in the UK, with real potential to revolutionise the way in which disputes with the NHS are resolved to the benefit of all concerned.”

The NHSLA said it would evaluate the outcome of all mediations “to inform and develop its approach to future mediation services”.

More information on the service can be found here.