Health bosses have apologised after giving inaccurate information about medical negligence costs in a Freedom of Information response.

In June, the Department of Health and Social Care revealed that almost one million pounds has been paid in medical negligence claims since 2012.

Over the same period, more than £1.4m had been expended in legal costs.

But now the department has revised those figures dramatically upwards.

It says in fact the settlements and damages that have been paid out against claims for medical negligence have totalled £2.13m since 2012-13 and £3.24m since 2011-12.

Legal costs have totalled £1.88m since 2011-12.

The DHSC said it had become apparent that the original response was incorrect and this was due to a misunderstanding.

It said it ’fully adhered to the principles of Freedom of Information, public accountability, openness and transparency’ and it apologised for not providing the correct information in its original response.