A new fast-track compensation scheme for victims of botched NHS operations was launched today.

The Government is planning legal changes so that patients injured in clinical blunders can gain compensation without going to court.

At present, legal action can take up to six years and often results in legal fees outstripping the level of compensation paid to patients.

As well as fixed rates of compensation, victims of clinical blunders could also be offered free nursing care and a range of additional assistance from the NHS.

Mike Stone, director of the Patients Association, said many people didn't want financial compensation but an expression of regret if something went wrong.

He said: "The current system is slow, laborious and does no favours for patients or the medical staff who have allegations made against them."

The Medical Defence Union said it favoured anything which reduced NHS costs and speeded up the delivery of compensation.

Updated: 15.45 Tuesday, July 10