About this role
Job summary
To support Legal Services in providing an effective claims management service for the Trust in respect of clinical negligence; employer and public liability and property claims under the NHS Resolution CNST, PES and LTPS schemes.
To provide consistently high-quality support and management across all legal matters, and predominantly inquests.
Provide initial responses for requests for documents in the early stages of any matter including inquests, claims and other legal matters.
Notify and report to the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) any claims trends or issues relating to clinical processes or staff conduct arising out of any claims or inquests.
Main duties of the job Manage and support clinical negligence, employer/public liability and the administration of other legal matters in line with legal, NHS Resolution and Trust requirements. Liaise with panel solicitors, claimants' representatives, NHS Resolution, Coroners' Officers and internal teams to progress matters effectively. Review records, gather evidence, prepare chronologies/summaries and ensure disclosure deadlines and authorisations are met. Support the preparation and administration of inquests, including witness identification, statements, pre-inquest meetings and hearing arrangements. Escalate complex, contentious or learning-related issues to the Head of Legal / General Counsel and ensure outcomes are recorded and closed appropriately.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King's Strategy - 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King's, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Claims Handling
Manage the litigation claims against the Trust for clinical negligence and employer/public liability cases in accordance with pre-action protocols, Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution reporting requirements. This is a claims handling function panel will be appointed on all active claims and so the role is to respond to requests from panel who handle the day-to-day management of active files.
Investigate claims for loss of personal property or damage to property and make recommendations on reimbursement.
Responsible for notifying and requesting comments from relevant members of staff on any claims matters, where panel has not already been instructed to do so.
Ensure that all new claims provide sufficient information relating to allegations of negligence in accordance with the Pre-action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes and also the Trusts Claims Policy.
Liaise with claimants solicitors as necessary to elicit further information. Ensure that appropriate authorisation is provided for the release of patient information.
Review and analyse medical records and any other relevant documents and preparation of chronology/synopsis or other document as directed.
Ensure that all disclosure deadlines are met in accordance with relevant legislation/regulations.
Participate in the case conference process in liaison with solicitors and NHS Resolution.
Liaise with other departments to obtain additional information where there has been a complaint, incident or internal investigation e.g., Health and Safety, Estates.
Responsible for ensuring that all claims where complex issues arise are brought to the attention of the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) for advice and direction as per the Claims Delegation Protocol.
Inquests
To assist the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) in the conduct of Coroners Inquest cases by completing all preliminary and administrative tasks in the preparation of all such cases, including:
Acting as primary liaison point with the Coroners Office and maintaining a professional and amicable working relationship with the various Coroners Officers
Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from Coroners Officers which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances
Opening any case management system and electronic file for all new Inquest matters and maintaining/updating the case management system and electronic file records as the matter develops
Retrieving all medical records and identification of relevant witnesses, and requesting reports and/or statements from the relevant witnesses, ensuring at all times that any time limits imposed by the Coroners Office are met
Identifying linked complaints and incidents and notifying the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare)
Analysis and assessment of complex clinical and factual scenarios (which are frequently highly distressing) in the identification of relevant factual witnesses and any key legal, ethical or patient safety issues that may arise in the Coroners inquiry;
Escalating any potentially contentious issues and/or any problems in obtaining witness reports/statements with more senior members of the team (as appropriate) and proactive identification of potential solutions
Co-ordinating Pre-Inquest Meetings and court hearing appointments for the Legal team and the relevant witnesses and, if appropriate, external Counsel
Attending Inquest hearings in order to support relevant witnesses in cases which have been assessed by the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) as appropriate
Ensuring that conclusions are promptly obtained from the relevant Coroners Officers following the conclusion of Inquests and ensuring that any learning identified has been escalated to the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare), any case management system and electronic files are closed and archived as appropriate.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Law Graduate CILEx Associate or Graduate (or equivalent) Relevant experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims/ inquests
Desirable
SQE or intention to achieve this or other professional qualification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Knowledge of the following guidelines, protocols and statutes: Pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes Relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements
Desirable
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Access to Health Records Act
Skills and Competencies Essential
Good oral and written communication skills. The post holder must have an ability to communicate with all staff, including (but not limited to) Patient Safety, individual members of staff involved in potential litigation or Coroner's inquests, Consultants, staff and Managers of all levels. The post holder must also have an ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSR, Panel and external solicitors, members of the public, patients/Claimants and their solicitors Fully computer literate with knowledge of Windows, Excel & PowerPoint. Ability to prioritise own workload and work to deadlines.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)