NHS in Wales recovers £22m costs
A total of £22 million recouped from insurance firms to cover the cost of treating road-crash victims has been handed to NHS trusts in Wales.
The Welsh trusts received more under the UK-wide Injury Costs Recovery scheme than Scottish trusts, despite having a smaller population, figures obtained by Plaid Cymru revealed. All of the money recouped since April 2007 has gone towards NHS services.
"I'm pleased that money spent by the NHS is returned to the NHS and its patients," said Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central Chris Franks. "It was good to hear that Wales outperforms Scotland in recovering funds."
The NHS ICR scheme replaced the Road Traffic Act scheme, where money for treatment of road crash victims could also be claimed back, when it came into force on January 29, 2007. All cases where personal injury compensation is paid can now be reclaimed by the NHS.
Working with insurance companies, solicitors and its customers customers, the Department of Work and Pensions recovers costs incurred by NHS hospital for treatment of injuries from road traffic accidents.