The government in Scotland is considering making changes to the compensation claim system which could make it easier for patients to make claims for medical negligence.

A group has been asked to look at the benefits of a no-fault system similar to the system in New Zealand. There the system is thought to have reduced administration and legal costs significantly.

It is hoped that a similar system will have the same effect in Scotland where in 2007-08 there were 182 clinical negligence cases with compensation payouts totalling £14.5m.