Firms To Watch: Health

Key contacts in the firm’s employment, pension and immigration practice Ben Daniel and Nick Newman jointly lead the health team at Weightmans alongside Daniel Birch, who acts for health and social care organisations on a range of mandates, including inquests and investigations.

Health in Yorkshire And The Humber

Bevan Brittan LLP

Advising a wide range of NHS Trusts and clinical commissioners, Bevan Brittan LLP has a longstanding relationship with both NHS Resolution and NHS Property Services. The firm is best known for its capabilities in relevant infrastructure transactions, joint ventures and PFI schemes. Other key areas of expertise include commercial and governance matters, patient safety and investigations, estate developments and workforce issues. Michael Boyd leads the team, which also includes experienced inquest advocate Susan Trigg and recommended senior associate Charles Stent.

Practice head(s):

Michael Boyd


Other key lawyers:

Judith Hopper; Susan Trigg; Charles Stent


Testimonials

‘The team is extremely able at handling these cases, and making them understandable, and achieving the best results.’

‘Michael Boyd is the main partner we work with. He has a good depth of experience, history and knowledge in the field, and is also practical and pragmatic on issues that are not always straightforward and/or may be a bit more nuanced.’

‘I have been impressed with the professionalism and approachability of the team members that I have dealt with (partners, associates and other staff).’

‘The level of flexibility and willingness to tailor their support to meet our needs. They quickly build up trust by ensuring we don’t receive support that is not necessary to minimise costs.’

‘The firm has a range of expertise that can be utilised to meet a variety of queries. Their friendly and engaging support is conducive to a positive working relationship.’

‘We have worked with a range of specialists at Bevan Brittan but we mainly deal with Michael Boyd, who is excellent to work with. Firstly, we are always impressed by his ability, flexibility and responsiveness.’

Key clients

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust


University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust


Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust


NHS Property Services Limited


Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust


Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust


Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


NHS England


Community Health Partnerships Limited


Department of Health and Social Care


Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


Genomics England


Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust


The Christie NHS Foundation Trust


Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust


North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Work highlights


  • Advising Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust on the contracting and procurement strategy for its £197m redevelopment of the Calderdale Royal Hospital.
  • Advising Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the design and construction of the new Leeds General Infirmary which will be built as part of the Government’s flagship New Hospitals Programme.
  • Advised NHS Property Services on the high-value disposal of the former Wesham Park Hospital in Preston.

Capsticks LLP

Counting mental health providers, ambulance trusts, private healthcare providers and GP practices among its key roster of clients, Capsticks LLP handles the full gamut of matters, from corporate and commercial, employment, real estate and regulatory issues to clinical cases and litigation. On the advisory side, Ian Cooper leads the national practice, while ‘exceptional’ Adam Hartrick spearheads the Leeds offering. Rachael Heenan and Lisa Geary are key contacts for employment and real estate matters respectively, while Philip Hatherall oversees defendant clinical negligence cases, dividing his time between London and Leeds. In June 2022, Naomi McMaster’s arrival from DWF boosted the firm’s niche expertise in inquests.

Practice head(s):

Rachael Heenan; Lisa Geary


Other key lawyers:

Ian Cooper; Adam Hartrick; Mary Mundy; Philip Hatherall; Alistair Kernohan; Naomi McMaster


Testimonials

‘Adam Hartrick, Ian Cooper and the healthcare advisory team always make time to help and support us. They are friendly, approachable and dependable. They have their finger on the ever-fluctuating pulse of the NHS which is so reassuring. They consider the emotional impact of legal matters on our healthcare providers, in addition to the professional, and it is this human approach that makes them really unique.’

‘Adam Hartrick is a true expert in his field, highly regarded and respected by all. He has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of NHS Acute Healthcare that is invaluable. Adam is always sensitive and compassionate in his approach, recognising the often extreme demands that our healthcare providers are working under.’

‘The team are very approachable, helpful, professional and knowledgeable. The practice have several different departments so can consult with colleagues if the scope of part of the advice required lies outside their area of expertise, which can be really helpful.

‘The team are always available to provide advice and support on complex matters.’

‘Adam Hartrick is exceptional, he always provides excellent timely advice in practical terms. We very much value the support that Adam provides to our Trust and would recommend him unreservedly.’

‘Good experience of the challenges the sector faces and opportunities to navigate through them.’

‘Adam Hartrick and his team are our first choice for mental health legislation advice – they have a wealth of knowledge and experience, are responsive and easy to work with and their excellent clinical insight means they offer sensible workable solutions.’

‘Adam Hartrick is a hard worker and always generous with his time. Adam’s gentle, approachable manner belies his astute ability to get to the heart of a problem and and offer carefully considered solutions guided by his many years supporting NHS trusts. Adam is our go-to lawyer.’

Key clients

NHS England


North Tees and Hartlepool NHS FT


Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


NHS West Essex Integrated Care Board


West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust


Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT


Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS FT


Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust


South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS)


Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT


Humberside LMC


Various GP practices (over 50)


Methodist Church of Great Britain


South Yorkshire Integrated Care System


James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust


Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS)


Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust


Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (“SHSC”)


Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Affinity Trust


Croydon Health Services NHS Trust


Salford Primary Care Together CIC


Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust


Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust


Work highlights


  • Assisted Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust with the deployment of staff across the Integrated Care System Joined Up Care Derbyshire and across a variety of health and social care organisations.
  • Advising the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust on the implications of the decision by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England to terminate the service contract in place with client to provide the National Pandemic Flu Service and related Covid-19 services.
  • Representing NHS Resolution and a Trust in a claim for fundamental dishonesty relating to an alleged delay in diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome causing a severe restriction in mobility.

DAC Beachcroft LLP

Housing a team ‘experts in their fields’, DAC Beachcroft LLP leverage a cross-departmental approach to advise over 300 healthcare clients on matters ranging from corporate, commercial and regulatory issues to employment, real estate, public law, governance and tax cases. From Leeds, Charlotte Burnett oversees the dedicated NHS sub-sector offering nationally, while David Roberts acts as the relationship partner for NHS resolution. Emily Senior is noted for her contentious expertise, and takes the lead on clinical risk work. At senior associate level, Chris Waite is recommended, while Tracey Longfield and Paul McGough cement the close ties between the Leeds and Manchester offices by splitting their time between the two; McGough focuses on Court of Protection and mental health mandates.

Practice head(s):

Charlotte Burnett; David Roberts


Other key lawyers:

Tracey Longfield; Paul McGough; Emily Senior; Chris Waite; James Rhodes


Testimonials

‘Highly experienced team with knowledge and skills that ensure an excellent service is delivered. Excellent communication skills and very much work as a team to deliver on all matters.’

‘Friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and good at their job.’

‘The advice and support we receive is of a very high standard.’

Key clients

Department of Health and Social Care


Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust


Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust


United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust


Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust


West Yorkshire ICB


Humber and North Yorkshire ICB


South Yorkshire ICB


Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


Health Research Agency


Barnsley Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust


Airedale NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust


Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Harrogate NHS Foundation Trust


BUPA


Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


NHS England


UK Health Security Agency


Babylon Healthcare Services


Health Research Authority


Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


NHS Resolution (Lots 1, 2)


North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (CPC)


NHS Shared Business Services (SBS)


Crown Commercial Services


NHS Digital


Work highlights


  • Advise NHS England on the administration of Covid-19 and other vaccinations.
  • Assisted NHS England with two framework procurements relating to the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Hill Dickinson LLP

Hill Dickinson LLP is ‘always at the cutting edge of new developments and with an ear to the ground’. Under the leadership of Esther Venning, the Leeds office handles the full gamut of litigious and non-contentious matters on behalf of clients across the healthcare sector. Robert McGough oversees the national health commercial, regulatory and real estate team, further marking Yorkshire out as a hub for the firm’s activity in the sector. Ben Troke is another key contact for advisory work, while newly promoted partner Amy Millson is noted for her employment expertise. Legal directors Eleanor Tunnicliffe and Ruth Griffiths round out the department.

Practice head(s):

Esther Venning


Other key lawyers:

Robert McGough; Ben Troke; Amy Millson; Eleanor Tunnicliffe; Ruth Griffiths


Testimonials

‘The team are very knowledgeable and provide exceptional, timely advice.’

‘The knowledge is clearly head and shoulders above others, this is proven. The advice is succinct and prompt. This has been evident from Ben Troke. He also clearly understands the importance of working through complex cases and is happy and flexible to provide services, such as training.’

‘Excellent understanding of the health sector and requirements which goes beyond the ‘simple’ legal requirements, placing these in a wider context. This helps building links.’

Key clients

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust


The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


LET NE


NHS England


Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust


Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


NHS North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS)


NHS Arden & GEM Commissioning Support Unit (AGEM)


Liverpool Heart & Chest NHS Foundation Trust


NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board


NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board


Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust


Push Dr Limited


Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust


South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust


MerseyCare NHS Foundation Trust


NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board


NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board


Blum Technologies Group Ltd


Dr Toolbox Ltd


Dolphin Homes Ltd


CHS Healthcare Holdings Ltd


Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


St Andrew’s Healthcare


The Hesley Group Ltd


Spire Healthcare


Health Education England


Humber NHS Foundation Trust


Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust


The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust


Sunderland City Council


Work highlights


  • Advising a broad range of NHS and local authority clients on the development of their place-based partnerships, and the establishment of Integrated Care Boards following the Health and Care Act 2022.
  • Advised Living Care Group on a development to convert part of the Olympic Park Stadium in Sheffield into a £20m medical diagnostics centre for imaging services.
  • Advising East Cheshire NHS Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on their procurement of a joint electronic patient record system.

Addleshaw Goddard

The ‘exceptionally well-resourced’ offering at Addleshaw Goddard is split into four distinct sub-teams, comprising public sector and health infrastructure; social care and later living; life sciences; and private healthcare providers and hospitals. Recently, the firm has seen significant growth in its private equity work, and has been regularly instructed to assist with the sale of medical devices and provider businesses. Michael O’Connor and ‘source of superb information and insight’ Louise Dobson jointly lead the department from Manchester and Leeds, respectively.

Practice head(s):

Michael O’Connor; Louise Dobson


Other key lawyers:

Bill Gilliam


Testimonials

‘The team have excellent client communication skills and collaboration techniques. They are particularly informative when advising on areas of uncertainty and present suggestions they believe to be in the best interest of the client.’

‘We have found the whole team to be responsive and with high levels of expertise.’

‘Louise Dobson has been a source of superb information and insight. Working with her has been a pleasure, especially as a small business doing work with a large law firm.’

‘High quality knowledge and expertise with an agile team which I found highly responsive to the needs of our business. Strategic in their approach and commercially minded regarding where to successfully focus.’

‘Louise Dobson is a standout partner who I’ve had a number of dealings with on healthcare matters.’

‘AG is an exceptionally well-resourced firm with strong individuals from top to bottom. It is particularly experienced in the management of large and complex cases.’

‘Louise Dobson is an out-of-the-box thinker; brings her great experience of public law to bear; first rate.’

‘Working with the Addleshaw Goddard team is always a pleasure. They are highly responsive, professional, and agile – especially when dealing with events which can involving moving parts and last minute changes. The team provide innovative solutions and a high calibre of professionals, proving to be invaluable partners.’

Key clients

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Limited


Kajima Construction Europe (UK) Limited and Kajima Europe Limited


County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDF)


Hallo Healthcare (including AAH Pharmaceuticals and Lloyds Pharmacy)


Yourgene Health plc


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and York Teaching Hospital Facilities Management LLP


Recipharm AB


Halma PLC


Work highlights


  • Acting for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management in their multiparty TCC claim in relation to a new hospital in Cramlington which has multiple defects.
  • Acting for Kajima Construction Europe and Kajima Europe in their multiparty TCC claims in relation to legacy hospital projects in Brighton and Sheffield with fire safety defects.
  • Advising County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on the construction of a new Shotley Bridge Hospital.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP’s wide-ranging client base spans independent providers, integrated care systems, commissioners, national bodies and investors. Large-scale infrastructure projects, public inquiries and digitisation mandates form part of the team’s regular workload. Both Rebecca Pallot and Stuart Craig bring significant employment expertise to the group, and advise on issues including executive level terminations and doctors’ disciplinary procedures. Simon Sherwood has a concerted real estate focus. Jill Mason, who is predominantly based in Birmingham, leads the national offering.

Practice head(s):

Jill Mason


Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Pallot; Stuart Craig; Simon Sherwood


Key clients

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust


Airedale NHS Foundation Trust


East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust


Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust


Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Leeds & York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust


Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust


Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust


Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust


Airedale NHS Foundation Trust


North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust


NHS England


Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Health Education England


General Dental Council


Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Work highlights


  • Advised Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on its procurement of a hosted electronic patient record system.
  • Advised Medipass Leeds on an extension to a PFI arrangement for the provision of medical equipment services at the oncology unit of St James’s University Hospital, Leeds.
  • Advised the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust on its procurement of a works contract to facilitate a new building to accommodate its Make Ready Hub facility for the Bury St Edmunds area.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP’s wide-ranging practice advises private equity houses, real estate funds, banks, corporates, operators, developers and management teams on all aspects of construction, financing, regulatory, corporate, and real estate issues relating to CQC-regulated businesses. James Long focuses on private healthcare investment work, and also heads up the later living practice. Legal director Louise Fullwood is the key contact for intellectual property, commercial contracts and regulatory work. ‘Talented tax practitioner’ Peter Morley provides additional expertise to the group.

Practice head(s):

James Long


Other key lawyers:

Peter Morley; Louise Fullwood


Testimonials

‘James Long is deeply knowledgeable, commercially sensible with a great sense of humour, focuses on getting the job done and not just point scoring.’

‘Commerciality and a real can-do attitude. They work as hard as possible to get a deal over the line rather than looking for reasons why it won’t work. Wide range of skills within the team and wider company that can be pulled from. A stable team that have been there for a long time, with experience and continuity.’

‘Peter Morley is a talented tax practitioner, able to simply explain technically complex issues and willing to go the extra mile.’

Key clients

embla ApS


R.V. Services Limited


HubRx Limited


Dedicare AB


Capita Healthcare / CHKS Limited


UCL


McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Limited


RVG (AXA owned)


Rodericks


Work highlights


  • Advised on the formation of a partnership between McCarthy Stone and Anchor, supported by a public-funded grant into the private sector by way of an OPSO model.
  • Advised Aedficia, a real estate company specialising in offering innovative and sustainable real estate concepts to care operators and their residents across Europe, on multiple funding development acquisitions.

Walker Morris LLP

Walker Morris LLP has demonstrable experience advising care providers and retirement living companies, medical devices corporations and NHS trusts on a broad range of healthcare matters, from regulatory issues and construction cases to M&A transactions and restructurings and insolvencies. Jo Stephenson, ‘who delivers a professional service that goes above and beyond’ to clients in the health and medical devices sectors when advising on acquisitions and disposals, jointly leads the team alongside director Lucy GordonJeremy Moore is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Jo Stephenson; Lucy Gordon


Other key lawyers:

Jeremy Moore; Adam Reed; Claire Burrows


Testimonials

‘The team provides user-friendly, practical advice. It conducts a thorough assessment of the issues at hand before focusing on the most relevant aspects for the client.’

‘Walker Morris offers a multidisciplinary service from a single site. They focus on providing sound, commercial advice and a partner-led service. They consistently achieve results and offer great client care.’

‘Jo Stephenson is a highly regarded trusted adviser in the sector. She always delivers a professional service that goes above and beyond and is actively involved in each transaction she works on, adding great value. Her attention to detail, technical knowledge and focus on client care are second to none.’

Key clients

Anchor Hanover Group


Avacta


David Wylde


Glencar Construction Ltd


Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust


NHS Business Services Authority


NHS SBS – appointed to the NHS SBS panel


NHS Commercial Alliance – appointed to the NHS Commercial Alliance Partnership to provide legal services


Servelec Group


Synergy Healthcare UK Limited


TPP (The Phoenix Partnership)


Work highlights


  • Acting for Avacta since its spin out from Leeds University and advising it on its acquisition of Launch Diagnostics, an independent distributor in the UK in-vitro diagnostics market.
  • Advised Glencar in relation to a project comprising the design and construction of the UK’s Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) at The Harwell Science And Innovation Campus, where Glencar had been engaged as main contractor by Harwell Oxford Management Limited in relation to the design and construction of the specialist £195m VMIC.
  • Advised Moulded Fibre Products in relation to a in a patent litigation involving paper pulp products which were supplied to the NHS.