News / CNST safety incentive

The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) will ‘enhance and refine’ its approach to Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) pricing following a review.

The NHSLA said the new approach to pricing would be less backward looking, while also enhancing safety. Recognising concerns in consultation responses, the changes would be phased in.

Starting with maternity contributions, the NHSLA intends to phase in a pricing approach that relies less on a body’s previous claims and more on indicators of recent safety improvements.

Notification of 2017/18 prices has been brought forward to help CNST members with their financial planning – general and provisional maternity fees for 2017/18 were due to be set in October.

The maternity contributions are provisional initially because the NHSLA intends to explore safety indicators as part of a refined approach to exposure.

Where robust indicators can be found, the provisional price will be adjusted in December, but changes will be limited to 5%.

It then intends to review the general contribution to refine its approach to exposure, starting with 2018/19 pricing.

An early notification model for very-high-value incidents will be introduced from April next year. This will also give the NHSLA discretion to withhold indemnity for non-reporting.

The moves are part of a package of measures to reduce clinical negligence costs.