Welcome to the first edition in 2020 of our Healthcare roundup for our clients and contacts working across the NHS.

In this month’s newsletter we’re featuring an article from Partner Lee Clarke on his work on major healthcare infrastructure and hospital development projects. 

We have some exciting events coming up in the next few months, including our Inquest Seminars. Places for the session in London are being booked quickly fast, so make sure to record your interest in attending soon. 

In order to help you prepare for any legal changes that are expected in the sector this year, our employment and medical malpractice experts have published articles giving insight into the key topics for 2020, which you can find under “Insights”.

What I'm talking to my clients about

Lee Clarke, Partner

Lee advises our healthcare, housing and energy clients on major infrastructure projects and major FM projects. Lee has been advising on major procurement projects for 20 years, providing advice on pragmatic procurement strategies and the negotiation of tailored infrastructure contracts.  

In 2019, our team advised on 

• the major hospital design and build project at Midland Metropolitan Hospital (supporting the Trust on its post-Carrillion, post-PFI strategy) 
• business case and procurement planning for major healthcare developments 
• ground- breaking FM and planned / reactive works projects.
  

What I'm talking to clients about

I’m talking to clients about their major infrastructure procurements and wider strategic planning. As we enter a new economic phase involving substantial capital project investment and increased focus on good quality repair and maintenance arrangements, my role is to help clients ensure they have the best-in-class support to enable design and delivery of well-structured projects, procurements and contracting arrangements.  

Some examples of the recent work with which I’m assisting clients include 

• Advising on the delivery of major hospital developments in hospital sites, including the contract to complete Midland Metropolitan Hospital and new hospital projects that have secured DHSC funding approval 
• Procuring and negotiating various NHS development projects, including joint venture and long-term lease backed projects for mixed-use development (this work includes implementing safe procurement solutions to avoid procurement law traps for the unwary) 
• Advising on genuinely innovative projects for planned and reactive works and FM services (including statutory compliance matters). These new projects offer cutting edge solutions for the healthcare sector.

Making connections that make a difference

The team at Capsticks is engaged in making connections between our sectors and clients to help foster joint working and innovation. From innovative software solutions through to dynamic purchasing systems, we are always looking for ways in which we can embrace innovation and find new solutions. We’re supportive and want to help. Please do get in touch if we can help you deliver on any procurement, contracts or capital projects.

Events and conferences 

We are constantly planning new events so visit our events page to see what's coming up.

Where to meet us

Annual Inquest Seminars Capsticks 

London office | 12 March  

The role of the Medical Examiner is now being implemented and we are delighted to have at each of our seminars the relevant Regional Medical Examiner, which presents an invaluable opportunity to hear exactly how the new Examiners are going to integrate and work within the system, and the implications for your organisations and clinicians alike. 

We will also be discussing the question of witness support at inquests. Witnesses often find the process stressful as their care and treatment is open to close scrutiny in a public forum – they need support to present their care in a professional manner that is consistent with their obligations, and those of the Trust, in being open and transparent. We will discuss why this support is necessary, how it can be implemented and what can go awry when it is not provided, looking at some well publicised examples. Plus there will be a case law update presented by our expert inquest lawyers! We expect engaging debate with presentations and Q&A sessions and there will be plenty of opportunities to network with your peers. Follow the links to register your place in London.  

HSJ Workforce Forum 

Etc.venues Monument, London | 25 February 

Capsticks is sponsoring the HSJ Workforce Forum, which will address issues around workforce shortages and retention in NHS organisations, and identify the next steps towards delivering the national strategy and NHS People Plan. Come and meet our partners Victoria Watson and Sian Bond at the event. Click here for more information. 

CCG Governance Leads Network 

Capsticks London | 26 February  

Following on from a very productive inaugural meeting in December, Capsticks invites you to join us for our next network event for CCG governance leads. The commissioning landscape is changing fast, with many CCGs now working jointly or heading towards formal merger. In addition, the development of ICSs, the implementation of the Long Term Plan and the need to deliver major service transformation present significant governance challenges for CCGs.  

Led by Ben Westmancott, a governance specialist with many years’ NHS experience, and Peter Edwards, who heads our public law team in London, our CCG governance network offers you the opportunity to get involved in discussions about topical issues put questions to our legal and governance experts and network with your peers and colleagues. Click here to register your place at this event.  

Clinical Risk Forum 

Capsticks London office | 27 February  

Capsticks Leeds office | 4 March  

Capsticks Birmingham office | 19 March  

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is a national programme to improve NHS medical care through reducing unwarranted variations and sharing best practice between Trusts. The GIRFT Litigation Team has already shared data on the surgical specialities with Trusts and is now being expanded to cover medical and clinical services, with the aim of driving a reduction in litigation across the NHS. We are delighted to be joined by Mr Annakan Navaratnam, NHS England and NHS Improvement National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow. Annakan will speak about his current work with GIRFT and best practice in claims handling and claims learning.  

Our expert clinical negligence lawyers will also present a clinical negligence case law update covering key cases and hot topics emerging in the field. Plus a Q&A session, to provide those attending with the opportunity to seek advice and discussion with colleagues and experts on any pertinent issues they are currently facing. Follow the links to register your place in London, Leeds or Birmingham.  

HSJ Strategic Estates Summit 

Etc.venues Monument, London | 12 March 

Capsticks will also be a sponsor at the HSJ Strategic Estates Forum. The event will focus on best practice and changes in the capital funding regime and the implementation of the Health Infrastructure Plan. Find out how your organisation can access innovative capital projects funding models and upskill your estates workforce. Real estate partner Matthew Hunter and associate Vicki Moore look forward to meeting you at the forum. Click here for more information.  

Liberty Protection Safeguards 

Novotel Conference Centre, York | 22 April Partner 

Francis Lyons will lead a breakout session on the impact of Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) on independent healthcare organisations, including care homes and hospices, at the Liberty Protection Safeguards conference in York on 22 April 2020. He will provide practical advice on how to prepare for the changes, and there will also be an interactive discussion around the topic.  

The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 will introduce a new model for authorising deprivations of liberty in care, replacing DoLs with the Liberty Protection Safeguards. The new law will come into force in October 2020 running alongside the DoLs for the first year. This conference will update delegates on the implications of the new Act and the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards in your service. Click here to register your place at this event.

Please click here to ensure that you continue to receive our insights and event invitations.

Insights

In case you missed them, here is a round-up of our most recent health and social care insights.

Medical Malpractice Forward View 2020

Read our annual review of events in the year ahead which could impact the healthcare, life sciences and medical malpractice sectors. Read more.

What to expect in employment law in 2020

2020 is shaping up to be another busy year in the field of employment law - learn more about what's ahead for healthcare, social care and social housing providers. Read more.

Paterson Inquiry: recommendations from the report

The long awaited Paterson Inquiry report came out on 4th February 2020. Read more.