The practice at Addleshaw Goddard continues to support clients throughout Covid-related challenges, drawing on sub-specialisms in public sector and health infrastructure, social and long-term care as well as life sciences and private healthcare. The team stands out for its growing private equity healthcare practice. Co-heading the team are Michael O’Connor and managing associate Stephanie Townley, the former has expertise in NHS commercial transactions, while the latter leads health infrastructure and public sector matters. Andrew Pettinger is experienced in handling public-private partnerships and PFI projects.
Health in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Michael O’Connor; Stephanie Townley
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Pettinger
Testimonials
‘Stephanie Townley, Managing Associate: was the key relationship for the project and I was very pleased with her performance. Her way of working helped to diffuse some difficult situations between the Trust and the subsidiary and I would pick this out as a considerable strength in her approach.
Michael O’Connor, Partner: also provided some essential support at various important decision stages. Mike’s strengths are clearly his considerable range of knowledge on the subject matter and his ability to be very incisive in identifying potential risks and mitigating actions.‘
‘We have worked closely with the team for a number of years which means they have a deep understanding of our projects and are able to provide practical legal and commercial support. The benefit of this relationship over a long period is they have a breadth of the history related to the project.’
‘The AG team are health care sector experts with long experience of acting for health sector clients including leading pharmaceutical producers. The long-standing nature of their relationships mean that they really know their clients and their knowledge of the regulatory environment is particularly impressive.’
‘The AG team are health care sector experts with long experience of acting for health sector clients including leading pharmaceutical producers. The long-standing nature of their relationships mean that they really know their clients and their knowledge of the regulatory environment is particularly impressive.’
‘This is an outstanding team with a high level of technical knowledge. They are client focused and do what is right for the business rather than fee-centred. They are professional and but also very personable and easy to work with.’
‘Responsive, knowledgeable and proficient.’
‘Go the extra mile with providing networking opportunities and sending relevant briefings.’
Key clients
GlaxoSmithKline
Genedrive Plc
GEN inCode UK Limited
Yourgene Health plc
Shawbrook Bank Ltd
Coutts & Co
Step Springfield Village Limited
Maco Pharma S.A.S
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Infrared Capital Partners Limited and HCP Limited
Celesio (including Lloyds Pharmacy Group)
Assura Medical
Bupa Care Homes Mercia Healthcare
NHS Improvement
Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Business Services Authority
Serco Limited
Citybranch Limited and Citybranch Healthcare Limited
Liverpool and Sefton Health Partnerships Limited
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Clinigen Group Plc
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust
GB Partnerships
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Fulcrum
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
YTHFML
D-Hive
First Option Healthcare
Work highlights
- Working with the Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a review of its subsidiary arrangements, with a view to establishing commercial subsidiary entities for the Trust in the UK and the GCC (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) to house its private patient activities. Worked cross-team to advise the Trust on the NHS- specific issues (such as powers, consents, approvals and liaison with the regulator (NHS England & Improvement)
- Engaged to rewrite, design and automate GlaxoSmithKline inc.’s entire suite (circa 200) of commercial templates including those for general services, supply chain, technology, R&D, clinical trials and material transfers that were robust and flexible enough to work for US and UK jurisdictions.
Browne Jacobson LLP
The team at Browne Jacobson LLP is a standout name for providing health-related advice to a national NHS client base as well as major private healthcare providers. Areas of expertise include mental health, governance and social care. Practice co-head Gerard Hanratty is at the forefront of advising NHS clients on issues such as service reconfiguration projects and Covid-19 response measures while co-head Christian Dingwall is known for his expertise on NHS transactions and projects. Victoria Thourgood and Amanda Callaghan are key experts in the health space. Heather Caddy joined in summer 2022 from Hill Dickinson LLP.
Practice head(s):
Gerard Hanratty; Christian Dingwall
Other key lawyers:
Amanda Callaghan; Victoria Thourgood; Heather Caddy
Testimonials
‘Breadth of expertise is impressive and extremely helpful for multi-faceted legal issues. This also provides the Trust with the assurance of having one place to go to for the full range of areas of law we encounter. The size of the firm also means that urgent instructions can be picked up and dealt with quickly, which has been particularly useful recently when we received last minute notice of a hearing about a complex issue.’
‘Considerable experience and expertise in healthcare governance.’
‘They are willing to work with us to find the right solution, not just offer advice. They know when to pick up the phone to better understand an issue and when to provide formal documented advice.’
Key clients
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Stockport NHS FT
Pennine Care NHS FT
Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
North West Ambulance NHS Trust
The Priory Group
NHS England
CNA Hardy
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
NHS Transformation Unit
Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust
Work highlights
- Application on behalf of the Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to intervene under the Inherent Jurisdiction in ongoing child proceedings.
- Advising all 10 CCGs across Greater Manchester (GM) on the closedown of CCGs and transition to the new Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Hempsons
The team at Hempsons acts for numerous NHS Trust bodies, private health and care providers as well as health and care charities on various issues, with healthcare litigation, particularly clinical negligence, a growing area of work. Anne Ball‘s expertise includes regulatory and criminal matters in the health sector. Kirsten Blohm is experienced in major health litigation cases, while James Down is knowledgeable on inquests and coronial law. James Rowley joined from Weightmans LLP in May 2021, contributing regulatory contentious experience. Lisa Davison, a real estate lawyer, joined from Wake Smith Solicitors Limited in January 2021. Oliver Crich left to join DAC Beachcroft LLP in March 2022.
Practice head(s):
Anne Ball; Kristen Blohm; James Down
Other key lawyers:
James Rowley; Lisa Davison; Nigel Wood
Testimonials
‘Excellent knowledge and experience in Primary Care.’
‘Lisa Davison has excellent knowledge and experience of primary care property acquisitions and disposals’
‘Fantastic defendant firm.’
Key clients
NHS East Lancashire CCG
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Oldham CCG
North West Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
Hill Dickinson LLP
The team at Hill Dickinson LLP has a full-service offering including inquest representation, healthcare governance, commercial support as well as inquiries and investigations. A growing specialism is its work on safeguarding issues involving vulnerable adults and children. Joanna Trewin co-leads the team with experience in NHS trusts legal service provision while co-head Emma Stockwell advises clients on all aspects of corporate governance and regulatory matters. Paul Allerston was promoted to partner in May 2021.
Practice head(s):
Joanna Trewin; Emma Stockwell
Other key lawyers:
Paul Allerston; Gareth Miller
Testimonials
‘The healthcare team at Hill Dickinson are exceptional. They give clear and practical advice that enables Trust staff to fully understand and follow it. They have endless patience and show great empathy and support to staff involved in complex and challenging health situations. They don’t hesitate to work late, or start early to enable clinicians involved in legal cases to continue to deliver patient care. Hill Dickinson have a wide range of expertise and always ensure a case is allocated to the most appropriate member of their team. The breadth of knowledge in the wider firm provides a valuable resource for complex/unusual cases and ensures the team are able to seamless and timely advice.’
‘The team includes a diverse range of specialisms depending on the nature of the advice sought. This ensures tailored, specialist and watertight advice is received.’
‘The specialist nature of advice provided gives assurance that we are acting in the best interests of the community we serve and protects our interests as an organisation. This is particularly important around implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards and management of existing deprivation of liberty safeguards.’
Key clients
The Northern Care Alliance
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East Cheshire NHS Trust
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool Heart & Chest NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
- Advising a wide range of organisations, including The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest NHS organisations in the country, on the increasing legal issues that are arising nationally, in relation to the treatment of patients with Eating Disorders.
- Advising the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in its acquisition of Pennine Acute NHS Trust to create one of the largest NHS organisations in the country, and the transfer of Manchester General Hospital to Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the “Healthier Together” strategic redesign of health services across Greater Manchester.
- Advising Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust in relation to the myriad of legal issues arising over a number of years in relation to the various investigations, including the Ockenden Review and police investigation regarding allegations of poor care leading to the deaths of babies within the Trust’s Maternity Unit.
Weightmans LLP
Praised as ‘strong across the board’, the practice at Weightmans LLP is able to provide full support to health bodies, from employment disputes to judicial reviews. The team is noted for its support of clients on complex strategic issues as well as a number of high-profile inquiries. Richard Jolly leads the national health work, and acts for NHS trusts in particular. Dewi Ap-Thomas oversees the regulatory team while Emlyn Williams focuses on employment issues for health clients.
Practice head(s):
Richard Jolly; Dewi Ap-Thomas; Emlyn Williams
Other key lawyers:
Edwina Farrell; Morris Hill
Testimonials
‘The Weightmans team are a pleasure to work with – they are strong across the board.’
‘Morris Hill who is a truly excellent solicitor – he is razor sharp but hugely personable with it. He has a command of his cases, and his area of law, which is second to none.’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Lancashire and South Cumbria 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
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS FT
IDH Dental
Dentex
Wirral University Hospitals NHS FT
Work highlights
- Acting for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in proceedings that received worldwide media attention when MHUT brought proceedings under the Children Act 1989/the inherent jurisdiction for orders allowing the withdrawal of life sustaining treatment to a two year old child. Successfully resisted applications for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
- Advising North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, one of the key Core Participants at the statutory Public Inquiry into the bombing at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
- Represented Alder Hey in the case of Sasha Burn v Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.[2021] EWHC 1674 (QB).
Brabners LLP
Brabners LLP’s practice provides ‘exceptional service‘ to clients not only in the classical health but also in pharmacy, dental and paramedic sectors, advising healthcare providers, commercial entities and practicing healthcare professionals. It is active in the healthcare regulatory space, representing both individuals and providers in contentious proceedings. Leading the team is Richard Hough, who has longstanding expertise in the pharmacy sector.
Practice head(s):
Richard Hough
Other key lawyers:
David Seddon
Testimonials
‘Good experience and knowledge in the sector. Anticipate issues before it happens. Understand the NHS contract for pharmacy and how it impacts valuations and profitability.’
‘David Seddon has intimate knowledge on the industry and able to forecast issues before it happens and deal with them. The best part is he can “dumbed down” legal terms so any layman will understand what the legal documentations are all about.’
‘Quick response and 24/7 availability for their clients’
Key clients
Well Pharmacy (Bestway Panacea Healthcare Ltd)
The College of Paramedics
National Pharmacy Association
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
The Bullen Healthcare Group
UK Meds Direct Ltd
EU Meds Direct Ltd
Medtrade Products Limited
HR Healthcare Ltd t/a treated.com
Dumbledore Dental Care Limited
NorthWest EHealth Ltd
Medical Defense Society
CFC Insurance
Innox Trading Ltd t/a chemist-4-u
Nasogastric Feeding Solutions Limited
Fertility QMS Ltd
Vascular Perspectives
Matcher Technologies Ltd
Centred Solutions
NorthWest Air Ambulance
Yanco Limited
Dental Defence Society
Work highlights
- On instructions from the College of Paramedics, representing a paramedic in the first fitness to practise case arising from delayed patient treatment due to lack of appropriate PPE during the COVID19 pandemic. The case attracted widespread national and international attention. The case ultimately concluded with no adverse finding or sanction against the paramedic.
- During 2021/2022 provided advice and assistance on over 100 dental practice sales or acquisitions.
- During 2021/2022, advice and assistance was provided on over 40 pharmacy practice sales (being a combination of retail dispensing pharmacies and providers of outsourced pharmacy solutions to hospitals and care facilities).
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP’s team has experience providing advice to the NHS as well as private clients on a wide variety of matters, including regulatory and governance issues. It also deals with clinical negligence claims, misconduct proceedings and inquests as well as supporting clients with the development of new facilities. Sean Doherty has experience in injury claims and NHS advice, co-heading the team together with Nigel Montgomery in Bristol. Oliver Crich joined the practice as partner in March 2022 from Hempsons .
Practice head(s):
Sean Doherty; Nigel Montgomery
Other key lawyers:
Oliver Crich; Harald Loeffler
Testimonials
‘As a business which operates in the health tech sector it is very helpful being able to draw upon the strength and depth of the team at DAC – whether that is in relation to broad strategic themes or regulatory or contractual matters.’
‘The firm works hard to establish and maintain strong relationships with the client. They show understanding of the challenges faced by staff and the needs of the patients and guide the Trust effectively in identifying strengths and weaknesses in a defence’
‘Professional, friendly and down to earth solicitors who put witnesses at ease and ensure best possible evidence’
Key clients
NHS Resolution
NHS England
NHS Digital
MDU
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Leeds CCG
NHS North Kirklees and NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG
NHS Wakefield CCG
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
NHS Commissioning Board (NHS England)
NHS North East Lincolnshire CCG
NHS Calderdale CCG
NHS Hull CCG
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
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Work highlights
- Proceedings for committal for contempt of Court against a litigation friend on behalf of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and NHS Resolution.
- Acting for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in relation to the estate management work for its hospital sites and other commercial properties. Acted for the Trust on the purchase from NHS Blood and Transplant of the site of a former NHS Blood and Transplant service centre.
- Acting for a registered charity in the acquisition of land for £24 million on a contract conditional on planning and satisfaction of construction conditions and the development of a new brain assistive facility to provide beds for 45 patients to be developed by Henry Boot Limited at their Chocolate Works site in York.
Fieldfisher
The team at Fieldfisher provides regulatory expertise, advice and litigation services, standing out with its work for start-ups as well as regulatory and professional bodies. A growing area of its practice focuses on artificial intelligence supported healthcare provision and e-health, as well as genomic mapping and reproductive technologies. Heading the team is Sarah Ellson, noted for her strength on regulatory matters. Tom Ward is a leading specialist in equity financings and management of buy-out transitions. Joshua Marshall left the practice in September 2021.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Ellson
Other key lawyers:
Thomas Ward; Rob Sheldon
Key clients
Roche Products Limited
Human Tissue Authority
Royal College of Physicians (RCP)
Rowlands Pharmacies/Phoenix Healthcare
Marlowe plc – Optima Health Group Limited
Alliance Medical – Lloyds Pharmacy
Karmacist
General Medical Council
Fresenius Kabi
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Work highlights
- Advising one of the UK’s fastest growing online providers of personalised skincare.
- Advised three major pharmacy chains on the development of online retail pharmacy services.
- Advised on Marlowe plc’s acquisition of Optima Health Group Limited.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP’s practice provides advice to NHS trusts, national bodies, charities and independent healthcare providers, with a focus on health tech and real estate matters. It also acts for investors in the sector. Jill Mason , who is usually based in Birmingham leads the team. Paul Knight focuses on software and data security while Charlotte Lewis is noted for her experience in system integration and electronic patient record procurement.
Practice head(s):
Jill Mason
Other key lawyers:
Chris Wilkinson; Paul Knight; Charlotte Lewis; Jennifer Lewis
Testimonials
‘I have worked with a number of people from the firm and each one of them has a fantastic grasp of their particular field and is able to help clients who do not have their expertise understand the important issues and ensure that all the points are covered. We have felt guided but not herded towards conclusions and the approach has been helpful in a number of key areas notably NHS Property and GDPR/Confidentiality and areas where case law had not yet been established.’
‘My highest praise goes to Jennifer Lewis who works as a Principal Associate.’
‘Within the north west team, two individuals stand out for me – Charlotte Lewis and Jennifer Lewis, who have both been outstanding in their support. Both have very positive approaches to work, always seem to be available to answer ad hoc questions, regardless of workload and often proactive in providing advice and market intelligence, making it very clear that they understand our business and what is important to us. Charlotte has also spent a lot of time on client relationship matters. She has been quick to understand my internal team structure and to adapt legal services to suit. It is unusual to find a senior associate with this level of client relationship focus in addition to subject matter experience.’
‘I have yet to find someone who knows more about property issues within the health sector than Jennifer Lewis. Her understanding of the market and knowledge of the other landlords within it means I can rely on her to provide robust advice on any and all lease requirements I have.’
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 Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Stockport Medical Group
Borough Care
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
NHSX
Department of Health and Social Care
NHS England
NHS Stoke on Trent Clinical Commissioning Group
NHS Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Supply Chain Coordination Limited (NHS Supply Chain)
Work highlights
- Advising Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust on their provider collaboratives to integrate adult and children’s mental health services across Greater Manchester and Cheshire & Merseyside, as well as adult eating disorder services across the North West.
- Advising lead NHS Providers, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust in creating provider collaboratives to integrate the provision of specialist mental health, learning disability and autism services across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.
- Advising NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group and other health and care organisations in the Oldham region on a bespoke Integration Agreement – a model that is likely to be adopted across other parts of England.