Three NHS patients every month are now receiving compensation of more than £1 million each because of failures in their care in hospital.

According to the Telegraph, almost 500 people have been seriously disabled by the lack of care they have received in hospital since the Clinical Negligence Scheme for NHS Trusts was established 13 years ago.

Groups representing patients have blamed "negligence, incompetence or carelessness" within the NHS for the increase in people being forced to make a claim to pay for their long-term care.

The biggest sum of compensation according to official records was £12.4 million, which was paid to Kerstin Parkin.

She was left brain damaged following errors made by staff during the birth of her baby and could not be resuscitated because the crash team did not have the security code for the emergency room door.

In order for a clinical negligence claim to be successful, a solicitor must establish that the surgeon breached a duty of care agreement between him or her and the patient.

Anyone who is unsure about a particular incident should seek legal advice.