Drawing on sub-specialisms in public sector and health infrastructure, social and long-term care as well as life sciences and private healthcare, Addleshaw Goddard’s health department provides a full-service offering to its clients. With expertise in complex commercial transactional, competition, and disputes work for the NHS, Michael O’Connor is leading the team together with Stephanie Townley who is specialised in infrastructure and public sector matters. The group has a strong contentious offering handling pharmaceutical drug product liability cases and large-scale construction disputes. Philip Dupres handles contentious matters for a range of NHS trusts and Foundation Trusts in respect of ongoing disputes on their PFI schemes.
Health in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Michael O’Connor; Louise Dobson; Andrew Pettinger; Stephanie Townley
Testimonials
‘A really deep understanding of NHS structures and of the construction issues which arise with PFI and other financing projects. A fantastic work ethic and drive to win cases for their NHS clients.’
‘Thomas Hurst is both a work horse and a war horse. He is outstanding at putting together and managing teams in the most massive of healthcare cases. He also gets outstanding results.’
‘Sarah Wilson is absolutely on top of things, an exceptionally bright and switched-on lawyer. Sarah sees all the angles.’
Key clients
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Step Springfield Village Limited (a joint venture between Kajima Partnerships and Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures
Fulcrum Infrastructure Group Limited (FIG) and Fulcrum Infrastructure Management Limited
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
GlaxoSmithKline
GB Partnerships Limited
Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Assura Medical
Bupa Care Homes Mercia Healthcare
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Serco Limited
Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnerships Limited
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Clinigen Group Plc
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Bradford NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Free London NHS Trust
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
West Sussex Estates Partnership Limited
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Atlas BFW Management Limited
The Borough Council of Worthing and West Sussex Estates Partnerships
Recipharm AB
CatSci
Royal London
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Work highlights
- Advising County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the construction of a new Shotley Bridge Hospital.
- Advising St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (STHK) on its acquisition of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (SOHT), where STHK will subsume SOHT, and the trusts shall become a single NHS Trust.
- Acting for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited to settle their multiparty TCC claim against Lendlease Construction.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP’s Manchester-based health practice continues to advise on policy, governance, procurement and infrastructure changes in the new NHS landscape and stands out with its healthcare inquest work. The group is the appointed primary provider of advice on complex and high value claims to MPS and sits on the clinical and non-clinical NHS Resolution panels. While co-head Gerard Hanratty leads the team advising NHS clients on matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, co-head Christian Dingwall specialises on advising on NHS corporate and service transformation. Rebecca Fitzpatrick leads the mental health and social care advisory team and Victoria Thourgood is the firm’s lead for public health sector property work as well as the independent health sector.
Practice head(s):
Gerard Hanratty; Christian Dingwall
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Thourgood; Rebecca Fitzpatrick
Testimonials
‘The team fully understood and were up to date with the national and local policy/agenda which they interpreted and advised upon at regular intervals. They established a good working relationship with respective leads within the organisation but also wider stakeholders. They worked collaboratively with us to deliver on our key objectives and within a defined time frame.’
‘The individuals were both knowledgeable and personable. They translated the complex, legal context, making it understandable and enabled the internal team to apply this to the key deliverables. The individuals made themselves available for all key meetings and were always amenable to attending any other meetings/discussions.’
‘Browne Jacobson’s health experts’ impressive technical expertise is balanced with pragmatism – working alongside us to identify practical, workable and proportionate solutions which appropriately manage risk.’
‘Browne Jacobson have been more than just legal advisors over the last two years, they have been our partners working through some significant challenges. We have valued their ability to see the bigger picture and suggest innovative options, as well as their clarity on matters of law and our governing documents. When swift response was needed I have always been able to get hold of a member of the team for initial verbal advice, which is then followed up in writing.’
‘My main contact has been Christian Dingwall and I have found that he gets to know the clients needs and adjusts his offer accordingly whilst always keeping the client on the correct legal lines. I have more recently also worked with Jacqui Atkinson who has also been very insightful in aligning her advice to the specific needs of our organisations.’
‘Christian Dingwall’s name is synonymous with health service commercial law, and he is my go-to person for any challenging situation. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, coupled with his ability to command the confidence of boards and councils of governors means that he and his team are a real asset to any organisation. His ability to deal with live, time-sensitive situations in a balanced and objective way is a real testament to him and to the team.’
‘Christian Dingwall combines confidence and knowledge with charisma and a real ability to hold a room. Hina Ali is a real up and coming lawyer, who works hard to ensure that she delivers all that we ask for and more.’
‘Highest level of client care, always willing to go the extra mile.’
Key clients
NHS England
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Stockport NHS Foundation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
Prime PLC
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
King’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Hill Dickinson LLP
Hill Dickinson LLP‘s health practice provides a full-service offering to health sector organisations including inquest representation, healthcare governance, commercial transactions as well as inquiries and investigations. Recent client wins include Greater Manchester ICB and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. The team is ‘very personable, highly competent and professional with a vast range of experts who provide advice and support in plain English’ and is jointly headed by Joanna Trewin, Emma Stockwell, Sharon Thomas and Michael Wright. Paul Allerston is frequently instructed to represent clients in serious medical treatment matters.
Practice head(s):
Joanna Trewin; Emma Stockwell; Sharon Thomas; Michael Wright
Other key lawyers:
Elizabeth Wallace; Louise Wilson; Amy Clarke; Leah Selkirk; Joanna Crichton
Testimonials
‘The whole team is brilliant – super knowledgeable whilst being approachable’
‘Amy Clarke: I have personally recommended Amy to other clients, who have been really happy with her work. She is very good on both mental capacity and mental health work, and is able to advise quickly and thoroughly on a range of regulatory issues. She is also just great to work with – intelligent, insightful and has a great rapport with clients. Louise Wilson: Louise is a real star. She is the go-to solicitor for NHS England on really complex cases involving children with mental health diagnoses, and for good reason. She is precise, clear and helpful and judges like and trust her. Leah Selkirk: Leah is a great solicitor. She has done big cases in the Court of Appeal (E&F) and is a real leader in issues around children with mental health issues. She is very knowledgeable and easy to work with.’
‘All fee earners regardless of their seniority are incredibly knowledgeable and able to think out side of the box.’
Key clients
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
Spectrum Community Health CIC
NHS England
Work highlights
- Represented Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its application to the Court of Protection seeking declarations as to whether it was in patient’s best interests to undergo renal transplantation and if so whether he should undergo a prolonged period of post-operative sedation and to treat any disease recurrence.
- Assisted Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in avoiding any significant adverse media attention and to also avoid any adverse outcome such as a finding of neglect or a prevention of future deaths report and assisted in highlighting the relatively unknown dangers of damp and mould for the benefit and safeguarding of future lives.
- Jointly represented Mersey Care and Spectrum at the Inquest into the death of a gentleman who died whilst a prisoner.
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP’s health group continued to expand the team and increased its client portfolio after the merger with RadcliffesLeBrasseur LLP in June 2022. The practice acts for public bodies, public or private businesses, not for profit enterprises and individuals on a wide range of matters including high level judicial review cases, public inquiries where it has particular expertise, employment disputes, information management and governance reviews and investigations. The group is jointly led by Richard Jolly who focuses on the health work, most notably acting for a vast number of NHS trusts, Dewi Ap-Thomas who oversees the regulatory side of the practice and employment expert Emlyn Williams.
Practice head(s):
Richard Jolly; Dewi Ap Thomas; Emlyn Williams
Other key lawyers:
Martin English; Cheryl Rowbotham; Saira Ali; Morris Hill
Testimonials
‘The Weightmans health team are exceptionally good. I predominantly receive instructions from Morris Hill, but I often have interactions with other, more junior, members of the team and when I do I am consistently impressed.’
‘Morris Hill is exceptional – he is highly experienced and respected in the field. He deals with acutely complex and sensitive cases, including treatment withdrawal cases. We worked very closely on a very sensitive treatment case in a child which was our most significant case together. Although the case was high pressure, Morris always remained calm under pressure. He would be my first choice to recommend to a health authority in this area – he is excellent with clients and has a really nice manner with them, but equally he is pragmatic and sensible in his advice.’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
St Helens & Knowsley NHS FT
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
NHS Blood & Transplant
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Liverpool University NHS FT
Alder Hey Children’s NHS FT
Countess of Chester NHS FT
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust
NHS England
Bolton CCG
Mersey Care NHS FT
Partnership Caring Ltd
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS FT
Wirral University Hospitals NHS FT
Work highlights
- Advised St Helens & Knowsley NHS FT on its takeover of Southport & Ormskirk NHS FT.
- Represented the NWAS, one of the key Core Participants at the Public Inquiry into the bombing at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
- Advising NHS Blood & Transplant on its joint funding (with Cure Leukaemia) of and provision of services to ACT Limited, a newly formed company which together with its ACT Charity will build a clinical trial network in the UK.
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP’s healthcare practice provides a comprehensive offering to practising healthcare professionals and healthcare providers ranging from healthcare-specific regulatory, fitness to practise, transactional, professional negligence, litigation, employment and property advice. The group is particularly known for its expertise in the pharmacy and dental sectors as well as the telemedicine and healthcare regulatory space. Pharmacy sector expert Richard Hough heads up the team which is particularly adept in handling dental practice and pharmacy sales and acquisitions where Liverpool-based Nicola Lomas is a key contact. David Seddon joined the partner ranks in May 2022.
Practice head(s):
Richard Hough
Other key lawyers:
David Seddon; Nicola Lomas; Chris Peace
Testimonials
‘Having a team devoted to my particular specialism in Pharmacy with a high level of sector knowledge and the nuances of the operational businesses within the sector, ultimately as an agent involved in M&A work this enhanced knowledge backed by a depth a legal resource to call on enhances the process for me and my clients giving quicker transaction times, and market leading commercially aware advice for all involved.’
‘Both David Seddon and Chris Peace personify what I describe above, they are pro- active, collaborative and when recommending either of them to buyer or seller in a deal I can be sure that it is a recommendation that I can rely on working our for the client.’
‘For me, it was clear from the outset of our transaction that the senior partner working on our case had a depth of professional knowledge around our niche area; a dental practice sale. At times I felt bad for our counterparts, who clearly did not have the same information or depth of understanding from their chosen solicitors.’
Key clients
Well Pharmacy
Pharmaceuticals Direct
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
The Bullen Healthcare Group
Medtrade Products
Treated.com
Dumbledore Dental Care
NorthWest EHealth
Centred Solutions
Chemist-4-u
Work highlights
- Representing Pharmaceuticals Direct Limited in judicial review proceedings that relate to the awarding of contracts worth £102.6 million and £29.8 million respectively for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Advising on 87 dental practice sales and acquisitions where transactions included both goodwill asset sales and purchases and share transactions and had a combined value of in excess of £78m.
- Advised on various pharmacy practice sales and acquisitions, having completed 29 (34 pharmacy branches in total) deals with a combined value of £29.7m.
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP’s ‘highly skilled health and social care team’ is adept in handling an array of matters including mental health, regulatory and governance issues, clinical negligence claims, misconduct proceedings and inquests. Sean Doherty who specialises in clinical negligence claims and NHS advice, leads the group which is praised for its ‘deep specialist industry knowledge and subject matter expertise combined with innovative approaches.’ Oliver Crich is often called upon for his expertise in public procurement law, specialising in the health sector. Jane Marshall who joined in January 2023 from Weightmans LLP brings in her expertise in public sector pensions work.
Practice head(s):
Sean Doherty
Other key lawyers:
Sally Morris-Smith; Harald Loeffler; Jane Marshall; Chris Air
Testimonials
‘Consummate professionals with a wealth of experience and knowledge about legal, medical and commercial issues.’
‘Great sector knowledge (NHS and UK health market generally), client focused and able to give commercially balanced advice. Also provided advice in relation to medical devices.’
‘The team ensure that they have a real and genuine understanding of our business which in turn gives us confidence that the advice we receive will be tailored to our risk appetite and commercial drivers. This is particularly the case when it comes to data protection advice a subject that’s absolutely crucial to our business in the health sector.’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
NHS England
NHS Digital
MDU
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Harrogate NHS Foundation Trust
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
City Health Care Partnership CIC
Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Health Research Authority
Circle (BMI Healthcare Ltd)
HCA International Ltd
Elysium Healthcare Ltd
Care Fertility Group Ltd
Florence Nightingale Hospital
Evodental
Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands
SHA (South Africa)
MS Amlin
Zurich
Beazley
Allied World Assurance Company
North West Boroughs Healthcare
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
North West Boroughs Healthcare
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
NOE CPC
NHS SBS
Crown Commercial Services
Schoen Clinic UK
Work highlights
- Advised Claimants solicitors and key stakeholders on the NHS Resolution led project on Duty of Candour with the aim of improving understanding of professional and statutory duties of candour and improving patient safety and learning.
- Advised NHS Resolution on behalf of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the first application for Committal for Contempt of a Litigation Friend following a clinical negligence claim where Fundamental Dishonesty was raised.
- Advised Health Services Safety Investigation Body (HSSIB), working with the Chair and Chief Inspector, on all aspects of the organisation’s establishment as an independent public body under The Health and Care Act 2022.
Fieldfisher
Fieldfisher’s practice provides regulatory expertise, advice and litigation services to support start-ups and new organisations seeking to launch in the UK, seeking to expand or invest. The group works with online medical service providers and those developing digital health and AI in the health sector. Headed by regulatory expert Sarah Ellson who specialises in health and social care matters and bioscience regulation, the team is increasingly receiving instructions for prescribers, cross-jurisdictional device and tech companies as well as medical and dental practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Ellson
Other key lawyers:
Thomas Ward; Chloe Williams
Testimonials
‘Fieldfisher have a wealth of experience in the regulatory sector.’
‘Chloe Williams was responsive and approachable, dealing with a complex matter in a well thought our and sensitive manner.’
Key clients
Novartis Pharma AG
Shawbrook Bank
Cynergy Bank
Fresenius Kabi Ltd
The Covid-19 Inquiry
Marlowe plc – Optima Health Group Limited
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Rowlands Pharmacies/Phoenix Healthcare
Human Tissue Authority
General Medical Council
Work highlights
- Advised Novartis Pharma AG on local regulations and legislation in relation to Patient Support Programmes (PSPs) in over 38 countries.
- Advising Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on a wide range of licensing and public law matters.
- Assisting the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in relation to its set-up and establishment.
Mills & Reeve LLP
The team at Mills & Reeve LLP acts for NHS trusts, national bodies, charities and independent healthcare providers, with a focus on health tech and real estate matters. Jill Mason , primarily based in Birmingham, heads up the team which is adept in supporting clients from place-based partnerships and governance arrangements to contractual, regulatory and procurement work. While Chris Wilkinson has particular expertise in the pharmaceuticals sector, associate Jennifer Lewis draws on experience in public sector real estate with a focus on health in the primary care sector. With commercial and technology expertise Charlotte Lewis assists organisations across the health and social care system from system integration and organisational mergers to electronic patient record procurements.
Practice head(s):
Jill Mason
Other key lawyers:
Chris Wilkinson; Charlotte Lewis; Jennifer Lewis
Testimonials
‘I have a single initial point of contact with Mills & Reeve and if she is not able to cover all legal aspects of an instruction there will be someone who can be approached within the company.’
‘Jennifer has: An endearing way about her that is professional but ‘human’ which puts your mind at ease including GP practices which is an achievement in itself! – The ability to get her head around a situation and provide a solution – Proven been able to achieve the almost impossible ask within really tight deadlines. I have no issue recommending Mills & Reeve to others due to that effort and the growing level of achieving the required outcomes driven by her.’
Key clients
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
L. Rowland & Company (Retail) Limited
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group
Wellola Limited
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Borough Care
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
NHSX
Department of Health and Social Care
NHS England
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Operose Health
NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
Work highlights
- Advising NHS England on their Digital First online consultation and video consultation framework.
- Advising Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust with two lead Provider Collaboratives delivering mental health services.