NHS Resolution: Annual Report & Accounts 2025/26 (9 July 2026)

Summary

NHS Resolution is an arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care. It provides expertise to the NHS on resolving concerns and disputes fairly, sharing learning for improvement and preserving resources for patient care. It handles negligence claims on behalf of NHS organisations and independent sector providers of NHS care.

Their annual report and accounts for 2025/26 reflects on the first year of their three-year strategy, Resolution Through Collaboration, providing an overview of the work of NHS Resolution over this period.

Content

Key points highlighted in this report include:

• There has been in increase in new clinical claims received, which totalled 15,236 in 2025/26 (up from 14,428 claims in 2024/25).
• 84% of clinical claims were kept out of formal court proceedings, providing earlier resolution for patients and healthcare staff, and saving costs.
• £3.2 billion was paid out in 2025/26 for compensation and associated costs on all of NHS Resolution’s clinical schemes (up from £3.1 billion in 2024/2025 and £2.8 billion in 2023/24).
• 40% (£1.3bn) of the total clinical negligence payments (£3.2bn) in 2025/26 related to maternity. This is a reduction from 42% in 2024/25.
• The estimated total cost of harm incurred in 2025/26 was £4.8 billion. The majority of this related to the main clinical scheme, the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, which was £4.5 billion.
• NHS Resolution’s provision for future liabilities as of 31 March 2026 was £60.3 billion.