Deputy Head of Legal Services in the Legal Services team at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, deputising for the Head across inquests, Court of Protection, clinical negligence, non-clinical claims and healthcare law advice. The postholder leads the day-to-day inquest service, manages a caseload of claims and gives specialist healthcare law advice to clinical teams. It is a leadership post with line management duties and hybrid working, with an office presence of at least three days a week. Inquest advocacy experience is essential, and a solicitor qualification is not required.
What the job involves
- Lead the day-to-day management of the Trust's inquest service, meeting Coroner and court deadlines
- Manage a caseload of inquests, non-clinical claims and some clinical negligence claims from receipt to resolution
- Represent the Trust as an Interested Person at Coroner's inquests, making submissions on coronial law
- Provide specialist advice on healthcare law, including consent, capacity and best interests
- Liaise with external solicitors, NHS Resolution, Coroners, claimants and internal stakeholders
- Support staff with witness statements and guide them before court appearances and legal proceedings
- Identify and escalation patient safety concerns, reputational risks and governance issues arising from claims and inquests
- Help develop policies, procedures and training on claims, inquests and healthcare law
- Produce reports on trends, outcomes and learning for governance committees and senior Trust groups
- Deputise for the Head of Legal Services, providing leadership, operational management and team support
- Provide line management for legal services staff within the departmental structure
- Give some legal advice to the Trust under the Head's guidance and support the collation and sharing of legal data for reporting
Qualifications
- Degree level or above in a relevant subject
Experience
- Proven and significant leadership experience and/or a formal management qualification
- Substantial proven experience of claims, inquests and healthcare law advice in an NHS setting
- Experience appearing in court and representing clients in contentious matters
- Inquest advocacy experience
- Experience supporting clinical and management teams on complex inquests and claims
Skills & knowledge
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to negotiate contentious issues and influence senior people inside and outside the organisation
- In-depth understanding of NHS Resolution's purpose and processes
- Expert knowledge of coronial law, inquest procedures and the pre-action protocols for personal injury
Nice to have
- Understanding of the background to and aims of patient safety and improvement methodologies
- Experience of Mental Capacity Act, best interests decisions, capacity and consent issues
- Qualified Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
- Capsticks diploma in clinical risk and claims management
What’s offered
- Flexible working
- Home or remote working on days outside the office
- Education and training throughout career
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
