The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > North West > Health

The health practice at Addleshaw Goddard is split into four sub-sector teams: public sector and health infrastructure; life sciences; social and long-term care; and private healthcare. The department also handles PFI secondary market transactions, insourcing and joint ventures for commercially minded NHS clients, and manages the healthcare portfolios of substantial infrastructure funds. A product liability team focuses on health and pharmaceutical recalls. Team head Michael O’Connor is an expert on public, private and transformational transactions within the healthcare sector. Stephanie Townley has significant experience in trust mergers and outsourcing arrangements.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s health and social care practice is particularly well known for its work on  integrated care systems, service reconfigurations and NHS mergers. Other key areas of work include guidance on serious incidents and inquiries, capital models for the development of  infrastructure and workforce issues. Amanda Callaghan heads the department. Christian Dingwall has extensive experience of NHS transactions and projects; Rebecca Fitzpatrick leads the mental health and social care advisory team; Gerard Hanratty heads the health sector team; Victoria Thourgood is head of the independent health and social care real estate team. Senior associate Heather Caddy is also noted.

Hempsons provides the full spectrum of legal services in the healthcare sector to clients including public and private healthcare organisations, health-focused charities and social enterprises, and organisations in the life sciences industry. The team counts commercial disputes work, healthcare advisory matters and primary care advice as key areas of strength. Anne Ball heads the team and has extensive experience in defending healthcare practitioners in civil, regulatory and criminal proceedings. Oliver Crich is noted for his advice on commercial contracts and public procurement law.

Hill Dickinson LLP offers a wide range of services including representation at inquests, mental health advisory work, Court of Protection matters, healthcare governance, property advice, commercial advice and transactions, procurement and healthcare commercial litigation. The department also has a niche in acting for healthcare providers in prisons and advises NHS England in respect of independent homicide investigation reports. Andrew Craggs manages the firm’s health team; Joanna Trewin heads the Manchester practice. Amanda Hurst leads the property healthcare team. Legal director Paul Allerston is noted for his 'huge experience'.

The healthcare team at Fieldfisher has extensive regulatory experience, which it combines with expertise in corporate, commercial, real estate, tech, outsourcing and privacy matters. Developing areas for the practice include CBD and cannabis-related businesses, online medical services and healthtech and AI. The team’s key client base include healthcare providers who turn to the firm for privacy and technology expertise. Sarah Ellson heads the team and has significant regulatory and public law experience challenging and defending public body decisions.  'Stand-out associate' Joshua Marshall is also noted.

The healthcare sector client base at Mills & Reeve LLP includes NHS trusts, independent sector health and care providers, commissioners, national bodies, charities and not-for-profit organisations, investors and advisers to the sector and primary care providers. The practice advises on integrated care systems, healthcare infrastructure projects and strategy for lab services and international hospital groups. Key contacts in Manchester are Chris Wilkinson, who has a strong track record of work in the pharmaceuticals sector and Paul Knight, who has a developing practice in health tech. Associate Charlotte Lewis is also recommended.

The healthcare team at Slater Heelis advises on a broad spread of work, covering primary care matters, GP mergers, clinical trial agreements, corporate structures, and acquisitions and disposals of pharmacy businesses. Other areas of work include service contracts for medical and dental services and employed practitioners, development capital for healthcare projects, and criminal and regulatory matters. The team also offers guidance on property matters and employment issues. Nicky Collins, who has extensive corporate and commercial experience within the sector, heads the practice. Crime and regulatory specialist Rachel Fletcher joined from JMW Solicitors LLP in October 2019.