The healthcare and life sciences practice at Ashfords LLP is chaired by Jocelyn Ormond and Ben Tarrant, both of whom work out of the firm’s Bristol office. Acting for a diverse client base that includes NHS trusts, private hospital operators and digital healthcare centres, the team handles a broad range of matters; property acquisitions and venture capital investments stand out as key recent areas of focus. Kirsty Cooke contributes expertise in employment and immigration matters to the team, while Katie Webber is a Court of Protection proceedings specialist. Partner Vanessa James left the firm in August 2022.
Health in South West
Ashfords LLP
Practice head(s):
Jocelyn Ormond; Ben Tarrant
Other key lawyers:
Katie Webber; Kirsty Cooke
Testimonials
‘The Ashfords team provide complete oversight of complex transactional/licensing negotiations and agreements whilst appreciating the need for clarity and pragmatism.’
‘The Ashfords team provide exemplary advice and guidance which is stage appropriate and tailored to the company’s requirements.’
Key clients
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Spire Healthcare
CareTech
Nexus Bioquest
Cedar Care Homes
Solent Childcare
Compass Children’s Homes
Aspris Children’s Services
Silva Care
The Medical
eConsult Health
Gaia Fertility
Vamstar
Lindus Health
Iksuda Therapeutics
Holland & Barrett
Helping Hands
Work highlights
- Advised The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on a range of employment, immigration and regulatory matters, including matters of strategic focus.
- Advised Compass Children’s Homes in connection with 30 property acquisitions.
- Advised Vamstar on its $9.5m Series A funding round and on a range of commercial matters.
Burges Salmon LLP
A key destination for private sector healthcare providers, Burges Salmon LLP ‘s ‘first-class’ Bristol-based healthcare practice assists clients with procurement and contractual advice, M&A transactions and healthcare regulatory matters. The team is led by procurement and regulatory specialist Patrick Parkin, praised by clients for his 'depth of knowledge and experience'. Richard Binns handles litigation and alternative dispute resolution for domestic and international healthcare clients, while Lucy Pegler specialises in technology and data protection matters. Other names to note include Rory Trust, who frequently advises on contractual, procurement and regulatory issues related to major healthcare projects.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Parkin
Other key lawyers:
Richard Binns; Lucy Pegler; Rory Trust; Andrew Walls
Testimonials
‘Burges Salmon are able to run highly complex and fast-paced procurement litigation in an efficient and calm manner. The partners and associates have very sound judgment.’
‘Andrew Walls is a secure hand on the tiller; he has good strategic judgment and is extremely well-organised.’
‘The Burges Salmon team is extremely approachable, personable and friendly. The team has quickly become an extension of our in-house legal department and has quickly developed strong relationships across the business.
The team’s knowledge, understanding and practicality in dealing with complex scenarios is first class, direct and much appreciated.’
‘Patrick Parkin has been incredible. His understanding of our business and its unique position within the market is exceptional and a trusted advisor who is irreplaceable.
‘Patrick’s depth of knowledge and experience of the public and health sector is simply first class. He’s ability to break down complex issues and advise in a practical and in simple terms is excellent.’
Key clients
Spire Healthcare plc
DHSC
Care Quality Commission
Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Optegra Eye Healthcare
Cambridge Perfusion LLP
Ludlow Street Healthcare / Ludlow Street Investment Corp.
GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance
Somerset Care
NHS Shared Business Services
Eucalyptus
Cumulus Oncology Limited
Nodus Oncology Limited
Neurochase Therapeutics Limited
Cobalt Health
Work highlights
- Advising GSTT on its collaborative procurement, alongside its NHS partners, to have access to private hospital theatres for the treatment of cancer patients.
- Advised Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on the structuring, drafting and negotiation of a novel $100m zero-dose programme to immunise children across marginalised communities.
- Advising Spire Healthcare on competition law, including merger control and compliance matters.
Osborne Clarke LLP
Catering primarily to the private healthcare sector, Osborne Clarke LLP's life sciences and healthcare practice advises on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters; NHS procurement, digital health and health infrastructure are all key focal points for the firm. Richard Wilkinson and Will James chair the practice from the firm’s London office. Bristol-based Catherine Wolfenden leads the firm’s regulated procurement practice, where she frequently works with major NHS suppliers on various issues. Her Bristol colleague Simon Hancock’s practice focus encompasses PPP/PFI asset management matters and capital works. Kate Davies, whose procurement expertise extends to advising on compliance with new NHS net zero requirements, is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Richard Wilkinson; Will James
Other key lawyers:
Catherine Wolfenden; Simon Hancock; Anna Elliott; Kate Davies; Reshma Adkin
Testimonials
‘A brilliant team of lawyers, very knowledgeable, responsive, persistent, approachable and great to work with.’
‘Osborne Clarke’s team has an excellent knowledge of PFI contracts.’
‘Extremely knowledgeable about the health sector, the OC team are very personable and approachable to discuss operational items as well as legal.’
Key clients
GAMA Healthcare Limited
Grifols
Nutricia Limited
Elephant Healthcare
Koa Health
AviadoBio
Thriva
Creo Medical Group
Ada Digital Health
The Hospital Company (Oxford John Radcliffe) Limited and The Hospital Company (QAH Portsmouth) Limited
Work highlights
- Serving as lead legal adviser for Gama Healthcare.
- Advised The Hospital Company (QAH Portsmouth) Limited, the special purpose vehicle project company to the PFI project for the redevelopment of the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
- Serving as sole adviser to Nutricia on all of its public procurement issues.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Led by Mark Barnett in Exeter and Gerard Hanratty in Manchester, Browne Jacobson LLP advises on health and social care matters, working with a number of NHS foundation trusts and integrated care boards across the South West. Barnett has longstanding experience of litigating clinical negligence claims, while his Exeter colleague Bridget Prosser‘s employment-centred practice sees her advising ICSs on new methods of collaborative working.
Practice head(s):
Mark Barnett; Gerard Hanratty
Other key lawyers:
Bridget Prosser
Key clients
University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Cornwall Council
Somerset County Council
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Cornwall ICB
NHS Somerset ICB
NHS Dorset ICB
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Devon ICB
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Sussex ICB
Work highlights
Lester Aldridge LLP
Lester Aldridge LLP‘s regulatory expertise within the healthcare sector covers both civil and criminal law matters, making the practice a popular choice for national care providers and healthcare charities. The team is additionally well placed to represent individuals in community care. Based in Bournemouth, practice head Laura Guntrip is a due diligence specialist with extensive experience of representing care providers in defence-side enforcement action proceedings. Southampton-based Bethan Dodd‘s healthcare practice notably covers primary care premise funding matters, with particular expertise in issues related to the Premise Costs Directions 2013. Nicole Ridgewell is another name to note.
Practice head(s):
Laura Guntrip
Other key lawyers:
Susan Cowan; Bethan Dodd; Nicole Ridgwell; Alice Straight
Testimonials
‘I am delighted with the services provided by Nicole Ridgwell and her team at Lester Aldridge.’
‘Lester Aldridge are undoubtedly subject matter experts with regards to regulatory approaches, legislation and practice but what sets them apart from others is their analysis of regulatory behaviour which enables them to give clear indicative and objective opinions.’
‘Laura Guntrip has been and continues to be invaluable with regards to all matters pertaining to regulation and legal matters.’
Laura Guntrip is extremely knowledgeable, very responsive and always willing to help; as are her whole team.’
‘Laura Guntrip and her team work tirelessly to ensure that their clients are supported and holistically assisted to make the right decisions when they are struggling with aspects of the care business.’
‘The team is incredibly experienced and strikes a brilliant balance when representing clients in sensitive situations to ensure they are protected against unfair criticisms whilst also ensuring their actions are not scrutinised unnecessarily.’
‘Laura Guntrip and her team are brilliant. Because of their experience, they know the issues that matter and they know how to help clients navigate difficult situations. The team are excellent with clients, putting them at ease and providing clear advice.
Alice Straight, in particular is great with clients; she is supportive, organised and takes a commercial and pragmatic approach.’
Key clients
HC-One
Graham Care
Registered Nursing Homes Association
Hampshire Care Association
Colten Care
Kent Integrated Care Alliance
Work highlights
- Represented a large national care provider in a successful appeal against enforcement action by the Care Quality Commission to cancel registration of a care home.
- Prepared regulatory due diligence for a private equity fund in relation to acquisition of a group of specialist care services.
- Represented a mid-sized care provider in relation to the death of a care home resident who fell from a window, including representation at the inquest and in respect of a criminal investigation.
Stephens Scown LLP
Stephens Scown LLP is engaged by a wide variety of healthcare providers to advise on issues encompassing construction, immigration and IP. Practice head Helen Wallwork leverages her corporate experience to handle issues such as mergers and restructurings. Laurie Trounce's charity law background informs her advice to healthcare organisations, many of which function as social enterprises. Tim Lane, Jade Kent, and Laura Stanley further add to the expertise at the firm.
Practice head(s):
Helen Wallwork
Other key lawyers:
Laurie Trounce; Tim Lane; Jade Kent; Laura Stanley
Work highlights
- Acted for the seller in the sale of their shares in Burrow Down Support Services, comprising a varied property portfolio.
- Advising a dental practice on CQC enforcement action for failing to have in place a current registration.
- Mapped the personal data for a hospice consortium providing them with forensic detail regarding their personal data flows.
VWV
VWV‘s longstanding history of acting for GP practices has seen the practice handle matters such as mergers, partnership agreements, and the formation of GP federations and primary care networks. Bristol-based team head Ben Willis, who serves as chair of the National Association of Solicitors Specialising in Acting for Doctors, regularly handles property matters for GP partnerships and medical practices. His colleague Oliver Pool handles the practice’s partnership work, as well as advising on a growing number of super partnership matters. Gemma Pouncy contributes additional expertise in healthcare property matters. All named lawyers are based in Bristol.
Practice head(s):
Ben Willis
Other key lawyers:
Oliver Pool; Gemma Pouncy; Rebecca Beardsley
Testimonials
‘Incredibly responsive. Clear accountability of when people are on leave and who is covering.’
‘Strength and depth of medical and GP contracting knowledge is impressive.’
‘Oliver Pool is responsive, pragmatic and really clear in all the advice that he gives. A real pleasure to work with him.’
Key clients
Dr Crème & Partners
G Doc Ltd
Invicta CIC
Lakeside Healthcare
Five Valleys Medical Practice
Mitcheldean Medical Practice
Pier Health Group
Victoria Medical Centre
Tilehurst Surgery
Cuckfield Medical Practice
Waterloo Medical Centre
Red Roofs Surgery