A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Opera Beds to NHS England has revealed that the NHS has spent more than £37M settling claims for pressure sore injuries in just two years. The FOI also revealed the Trusts with the highest costs paid and the most claims. You can find out more here.
NHS Trusts with the highest costs paid for pressure sore claims from 2022-2024
| Rank | NHS Trust | Number of bed sore-related litigation cases | Total paid* |
| 1 | Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 12 | £1,389,822 |
| 2 | East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust | 13 | £1,021,620 |
| 3 | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 6 | £844,364 |
| 4 | Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust | 10 | £682,815 |
| 5 | George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | 5 | £682,014 |
| 6 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | 9 | £642,965 |
| 7 | Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust | 8 | £595,398 |
| 8 | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust | 8 | £574,413 |
| 9 | London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | 8 | £537,489 |
| 10 | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust | 6 | £532,273 |
*Total cost includes damages, NHS legal costs and claimant legal costs
- The Trust with the highest amount paid for settled claims was Sheffield Teaching Hospitals at a total cost of £1,389,822 paid across 12 claims in the two-year period.
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust had a slightly higher number of claims at 13, the highest number of cases across England Trusts. The claims totaled £1,021,620.
- Pressure sores have cost NHS England a total of £37.8 million over the last two years, incurred across 503 settled claims.
Further findings from the FOI
- More than 87% of all NHS Trusts have seen a reduction in bed sore cases between 2022 and 2024.
- The decline in bed sore reports during hospital stays across England has been significant, averaging nearly 59% nationwide. Despite these reductions, bed sores have cost the NHS £37.8 million in claims over the last two years.
- Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust saw the biggest decrease in patients developing pressure sores during their hospital stay.