In the last three years, Wales NHS has paid out nearly £90 million in medical negligence compensation.

The Welsh health service  paid out £31. million during the 2009/2010 period, £18 million in 2008/2009 and a further £38.8 million in 2007/2008.

In South Wales, the largest compensation pay out was £11.8 million after errors in monitoring and managing a labour and birth caused serious injuries.

Over the last three years, there have been15 compensation pay outs that were above £1 million and 70 cases have involved payments of more than £250,000.

Most of the million-pound cases were the results of errors made during child birth which caused serious injuries including brain damage and cerebral palsy. The compensation money is awarded to provide for the extensive care need, specialist equipment and accommodation needs.

Larger settlements are usually paid out over a combination of a lump sum and annual installments.