The term medical negligence (sometimes referred to as clinical negligence) is a term which is used to cover a wide variety of problems arising out of clinical care

It is used to describe a mistake made by a medical professional that no reasonably qualified professional would make which has caused a problem or added to an existing one. Cases can also involve a failure to explain the possible consequences of a particular procedure ar the failure to obtain informed consent to a particular treatment.

In very serious cases the allegations against a clinician may be sufficient to justify a complaint of professional misconduct to the clinicians' governing body such as the General Medical Council who, have various sanctions available ranging from striking off the doctor concerned or, ordering that he or she undergoes further training.