London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH), which runs Ealing Hospital, Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal and Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, has paid out more than £5.5m in compensation for misdiagnosis-related claims over the past six years, according to newly released figures.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by Medical Negligence Assist shows that 31 claims were lodged against the trust between 2019/20 and 2024/25. Of those, 22 were settled, resulting in total damages of £5,591,088 — an average of £254,140 per successful claim.
Compensation payments peaked in 2021/22, when £4.38m was paid across three cases. The number of claims was highest in 2024/25, with 13 lodged, although payouts that year totalled £449,705. In several years — including 2020/21, 2022/23 and 2023/24 — claims were recorded but no compensation was paid.
Across Greater London, NHS trusts collectively faced 1,002 misdiagnosis claims and paid out a combined £159,424,201. Barts Health NHS Trust recorded 136 claims, of which 116 were settled, with payouts totalling £33,208,401, while King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had 103 claims, 94 of which were settled, with £20,512,147 paid in damages.
While the total paid by LNWH was lower than some larger trusts, its average payout per successful claim exceeded the London average of £218,689.
Sophie Cope, a medical negligence solicitor at Medical Negligence Assist, said: “The figures highlight a deeply concerning trend that leaves patients paying the ultimate price. We regularly see cases where a delay in diagnosis leads to devastating, life-altering consequences.”
In a statement to EALING.NEWS, a spokesperson for LNWH said: “Although misdiagnosis claims are relatively rare given the number of patients we treat in our hospitals, we review every case and use each as a learning opportunity to improve patient safety. That includes continuing to invest in staff training, robust systems, and clinical processes to support accurate and timely diagnosis.
“In cases where misdiagnosis has been found to cause harm, we work with NHS Resolution to come to an appropriate settlement. We always strive to provide the best possible care and sincerely apologise where that has fallen short to the patient and families concerned.”
, which runs Ealing Hospital, Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal and Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, has paid out more than £5.5m in compensation for misdiagnosis-related claims over the past six years, according to newly released figures.){kind=link}