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Independent Health Lawyers

Full service legal services to UK and international private healthcare providers

Independent health experts

Our 250-strong, experienced healthcare team works with providers from across the independent healthcare sector. As a full-service firm providing advice to national and international private hospitals, clinics, independent GPs and other providers, we are well-versed in the issues that health and care sector organisations face and can offer support on any issues arising. Our wider team’s work with the NHS provides unique insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by providers in working with the NHS.

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From operational challenges such as MCADOLs, commercial contracting and working time regulations, to strategic advice in areas including integration with the NHS and funding approaches for acquisitive activity, our team and our wider connections with intermediaries in the sector ensures that we are best-placed to support you in helping to deliver outstanding patient care and outcomes. 

Recent key highlights 

How we can advise you

With a team of over 250 lawyers, we are one of the leading firms providing advice and support to national and international healthcare organisations. We are able to advise on the full spectrum of health, healthcare and commercial law, including:

  • Clinical negligence and claims – Providing expert advice for nearly four decades, our unrivalled expertise can support you with clinical negligence litigation, claims against practitioners, public inquiries, employers liability litigation and public liability litigation. This includes advice for those with no professional insurance or privately funding a legal claim or regulatory matter, where we act for surgeons, doctors, dentists and health clinics on a private fee-paying basis. Contact Janet McWhinney today to find out more.
  • Commercial law – Our team covers support across all commercial requirements, including contracting, terms and conditions, information technology, supplier and manufacturing agreements, intellectual property, procurement, joint ventures and collaborations, advertising, data protection and IR35 working rules.
  • Corporate transactions – Our corporate healthcare team is comprised of Tier One ranked lawyers, able to support with corporate sales and acquisitions, listings, investments and fundraising, corporate structuring and reorganisations, and advising on share option schemes.
  • Employment law – Our specialist healthcare employment team provides advice and strategic guidance on a full range of matters including recruitment and retention, employment contracts, discrimination, immigration advice, whistle-blowing issues, TUPE processes, disciplinary, dismissal and grievance procedures and tribunal proceedings.
  • Healthcare advisory law – Working to protect your organisation, our healthcare law team can support on those complex and reputation-threatening issues that challenge healthcare providers and commissioners most, including inquests, mental capacity, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Court of Protection matters and mental health law.
  • Inquiries and investigations – Whether participating in an inquiry or running an investigation, our team can support through advising on retention and the disclosure of documents, liaising with core participants, supporting witnesses to give evidence, chairing an investigation, advice on duty of candour, liaising with regulators and support with setting terms of reference.
  • Real estate – Our specialist health property team offer advice on a wide range of healthcare property matters, including new leases in clinical and non-clinical facilities, leasehold management, developing projects (including new acute, community or mental health facilities), rights of light, access and other easement issues, and the creation and operation of wholly owned estates subsidiary companies.
  • Regulatory law – Regulatory investigations for health organisations can be confusing, expensive and lengthy. Our team are here to support through advising on Health and Safety at work, defence of corporate and individual prosecutions.
  • How our team will work with you

    We are committed to providing the highest quality service and will take the time to ensure we have a real understanding of your priorities and requirements. We have a common sense and commercial approach where technical expertise is a given. The key to our collaborative success with you is in continually adding value to your business because of our in-depth sector knowledge across the country. We will do this through:

    • Working in partnership with you – you will have a dedicated relationship lead and teams who will ensure regular contact and communication.
    • Providing solutions not posing problems – we will provide you with pragmatic advice and an innovative, commercial approach.
    • Access to senior lawyers – you will always have direct access to partners and senior lawyers.
    • Proactivity – we want this to be an active partnership in which we take the initiative to become your trusted adviser and partner.
    • Resource – we have a large team so are able to provide sufficient assistance at all times.
    • International capability - we provide advice in both the UK and internationally (which may be relevant, for example, if you partner with international organisations for particular projects).

    In addition, we pride ourselves on our understanding of the sector in which you operate and our connections in that sector. We are always happy to introduce you to contacts where we can.

  • Our clients

    We work with the full scope of independent providers and suppliers, including commissioners, across the UK and internationally. This includes:

    • Private hospitals and clinics
    • Social Care providers
    • Private mental health providers
    • Offender institutions
    • Charities
    • Social enterprises
  • Our experience

    We are proud to represent some of the biggest and most innovative names in healthcare provision both nationally and internationally, with examples including but not limited to:

  • Resources

    We regularly update our clients and contacts with details on the latest insights into the Independent Healthcare sector. Our articles, videos and other materials can all be found here.

    PSIRF - What you need to know video

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    You can find more of our resources specifically relating to PSIRF here.

Key contacts