About this role
Job summary
The Head of Legal will provide professional leadership and management of the Trust wide healthcare legal service, including development of robust, auditable frameworks, which meet best practice standards and external requirements.
The postholder will lead the management of healthcare legal services in relation to clinical negligence, employer's liability, public liability, property expenses scheme, personal injury, Powers of Attorney, Wills, inquest related matters and Court of Protection cases, developing (where necessary) and implementing/maintaining Trust wide policies.
The post holder will be a healthcare law subject matter expert and have the requisite management skills to develop and maintain strong service delivery, including providing healthcare legal advice to the Trust and its committees and to individuals or groups of staff.
You will provide highly specialist medico-legal advice, being a confident advocate with good working knowledge of the relevant law, working with professional leads across the organisation.
It is essential that the appointee is a proven team player who is able to engender trust and respect from colleagues at all levels.
In addition, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring learning is identified across integrated areas, as well as ensure there is joined up working, practices, policies and governance to ensure learning from incidents, complaints, inquests and claims.
Main duties of the job
Work autonomously and have the freedom to take action on own interpretation of professional / relevant policies and law, advising the organisation on how these should be interpreted and implemented.
Provide expert advice and leadership on matters relating to a wide range of clinical and personal injury litigation claims, inquests, and Court of Protection.
Provide highly specialist technical and expert advice to senior management and clinical staff on a wide range of sensitive and complex clinical issues that may arise.
Have substantial experience, equivalent to 8 years, of managing a team on a day-to-day basis, nurturing and developing the team and guiding them through change and transformation.
Identify learning opportunities that arise from claims or other Court findings; persuade; motivate and influence staff to be aware of any developments to improve practice where necessary.
Provide professional leadership and management in the design and implementation of Trust wide procedures, such as consent and claims management, to ensure that they are robust, auditable and reflect best practice.
About us
Please refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for Applicants
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
Make recommendations, provide advice, prepare and present strategic reports/briefings for the Board and its committees, divisional management teams and clinical leads as required.
Collate and present qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to make robust recommendations arising from litigation and inquests.
Analyse, interpret and present claims and inquest data highlighting issues and risks to support decision making and service development, particularly in relation to quality improvement.
Identify and bring to the attention of clinical leads any immediate concerns about activity of individual staff, including where action may be needed to retrain or otherwise ensure the continuing safety of patients and others.
Represent the Trust within the NHS and community, and with other related individuals and organisations, including in criminal, civil and coroners courts.
Arrange and attend meetings and Court hearings involving lawyers, NHS Resolution and Trust staff to provide information on the matters under investigation and to support staff.
Manage a portfolio of high risk claims providing specialist advice and support to clinicians on liability and quantum to further the aim of defending such claims against the Trust. Advocating the position of the Trust as the Defendant where there may be opposing views with external stakeholders.
Provide settlement authority on behalf of the Trust on clinical negligence claims, worth over £5million.
Arrange and provide training as needed for staff. Assist and support staff at all levels across the organisation who are required to give evidence at Court on behalf of the Trust including offering pre hearing briefings and feedback as necessary.
Advise on management of complaints and serious incidents where there are complex and potential legal issues.
Provide legal and other professional advice on policies adopted by the Trust in its delivery of healthcare activities and in compliance with Health legislation.
Give legal and other professional advice on the proposed formation and adoption of new policies in respect of healthcare.
Provide training to any employees within the Trust on aspects of healthcare law relevant to them, including the senior leadership as appropriate.
Must have the ability to attend inquests and represent the Trust in complex matters.
Must be competent to manage and advise on Court of Protection matters to assist clinical staff in the care of patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education Essential
Educated to Masters Level in Law or completion of substantial years articles of clerkship or training contract, equivalent to Masters level education or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area Qualified Solicitor or Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with extensive PQE experience. Experience must be at required level to supervise and assess trainee Solicitors (equivalent to Partner level in private practice). This should include in depth knowledge of the following general and NHS disciplines: In depth practical expertise and knowledge in healthcare law including medical ethics, clinical negligence and personal injuries law. Extensive evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. In-depth demonstrable knowledge of the NHS and interrelated systems. In-depth demonstrable understanding of the background to and aims of patient safety and improvement methodologies.
Professional Registration Essential
Member of relevant Professional Body with Practicing Certificate.
Experience Essential
In-depth demonstrable knowledge and experience as a legal advisor on healthcare matters. Extensive experience of appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters including Coroner's inquests. Extensive experience of managing complex clinical negligence claims on behalf of the Claimant and/or Defendant Extensive experience of drafting legal proceedings and instructing Counsel in High Court/Court of Protection applications. In-depth management experience/knowledge in a legal healthcare setting. Extensive demonstrable experience of writing reports, performance and data analysis and delivering training
Desirable
Employment law and contract law experience
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Able to provide, receive and present highly complex, sensitive and contentious information. Highly developed negotiating skills with the ability to be authoritative and persuasive when appropriate. Strong organisational and management skills with a methodical approach in all aspects of work. Highly developed interpretative and analytical skills with the ability to analyse complex facts and develop a range of options. The ability to assimilate and analyse complex and sensitive clinical information. Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting Able to take decisions when required on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. The ability to act under pressure and provide appropriate, immediate and reasoned legal advice in any given circumstance. The ability to engender trust and to develop and maintain constructive relationships with staff at all levels within the Trust and with external organisations. Strategic thinking - skills and ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise. Proven skills to present highly detailed, arguments that require analysis, comparison and assessment of complex facts. Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances. Ability to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines. Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary. Able to demonstrate emotional resilience. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues. Acutely aware of the confidentiality of patient identifiable information. IT skills and understanding of Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and email.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)