£76m paid over health negligence

The details were released by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey following a question from DUP MLA Alex Easton.

He said there had been £13.6m paid out during the last financial year, down from a high of £20.2 in 2003/04.

Mr Easton said the figures seemed to "reflect an increasingly litigious society".

"In this regard we are gradually following the pattern of other countries where it is now difficult to encourage health professionals to work within particular specialisms," he said.

"Those working in the health service and those with a responsibility for overseeing the running of it must ensure that everything is done to limit these sums in the years ahead."