The Hill Dickinson healthcare team offers a confidential advisory service to the boards of NHS bodies on all governance, probity and accountability issues. A number of our partners hold the position of secretary to NHS boards.
We are able to advise on the agendas for board meetings and the applicability of board standing orders. We can also help with standing financial instructions and matters relating to conflicts of interest.
We have also supported several foundation trusts with their applications for foundation trust status. This has involved assisting with consultation requirements, the formation of the trust’s membership and the drafting of an appropriate constitution.
We have also advised on the role and responsibilities of board members and governors, as well as the legal implications of foundation trust status.
Areas of expertise include:
- Attendance at and advice at board meetings
- The extent of the powers of NHS bodies
- Advice on procedural and legal requirements, including the interpretation of standing orders and standing financial instructions
- Advice on board policies and procedures and the terms of reference of board committees
- Advice on foundation trust status applications, the drafting of constitutions and on governance arrangements for foundation trusts
Key contacts
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 817 7311
- lawford.martin@hilldickinson.com
- Telephone
- +44 (0)151 600 8173
- emma.stockwell@hilldickinson.com

Hill Dickinson LLP has a large NHS client base
with over 80 clients in the North West region and elsewhere. The
team has also been appointed to all ten lots on the North West NHS
Collaborative Procurement Hub. Practice head Allan Mowat is
‘experienced, wise, sensible and pragmatic’.
This firm's practice has a national range, but it is
especially identified as a player in the North West and West
Midlands. It is one of only two firms to have been appointed to all
ten lots of the North West NHS Commercial Agency, which is
testament to both great breadth of expertise and deep capacity. The
team was recently sought out by NHS West Midlands to advise on the
Mid Staffordshire inquiry.
