Counting several NHS trusts, governmental bodies, and independent health providers across the country among its impressive roster of clients, the healthcare department at DAC Beachcroft LLP leverages the firm’s full-service capabilities to provide a multidisciplinary offering that spans the full range of regulatory, contentious, commercial, and real estate matters. Gill Weatherill, Louise Watson-Jones, and Victoria Armstrong now jointly lead the practice from Newcastle. Weatherill leads the firm’s national healthcare and public law offering and advises on regulatory frameworks and novel legislative developments. Armstrong, who joined the practice from Sintons LLP in August 2023, takes point on real estate and property work for NHS entities, a core pillar of work for the group; Nicola Fairbairn is another key name for real estate issues. Public procurement instructions also feature prominently in the group’s workload; Katherine Calder is the name to note here, working alongside Sarah Foster, who attracts praise for her ‘outstanding’ NHS procurement and contracting advice. Regulatory enforcement mandates are handled by Anna Hart, while Sarah George is recommended for healthcare-related employment issues.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team who supports us is very knowledgeable and is able to integrate the advice they give addressing procurement, contracting and specialised knowledge e.g. CQC specific advice. They are prompt with the advice and thorough, they have a detailed knowledge that is specific to the industry which my team finds incredibly supportive.’
‘Sarah Foster has been outstanding in her advice and support around procurement challenges faced throughout the procurement process, from initial contracts to advice on managing difficult issues encountered throughout the process.’
Key clients
- South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
- Advising an NHS Trust in relation to a prosecution brought by CQC for failure to provide safe care and treatment to three female inpatients, each of who died as a result of ligaturing whilst in ward settings.
- Provided strategic advice to Mental Health, Acute and Ambulance Trusts on the implications of the Right Care Right Person policy initiative, which implemented changes to the involvement of police forces in responding to incidents involving individuals with mental health needs.