Deputy Head of Legal Services in Kendal

''Creating a great place to be cared for and a great place to work''

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay has a firm commitment to strengthening the diversity of our workforce, and therefore welcome and encourage applications from likeminded people who can support our ambition to become effortlessly inclusive. We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups – including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability.

Job overview

We are looking for a legal professional with management experience to support and deputise for the Head of Legal Services. This is a rare opportunity, with potential to develop. The postholder will, along with the rest of the Legal Services team, contribute to the provision of a comprehensive inquest and claims management service and an effective legal advice service to staff.

This post is pending job evaluation confirmation

Main duties of the job

This is a management role, and the post-holder will supervise other team members and deputise for the Head of Legal Services. They will also have their own caseload of inquests and clinical claims and contribute to a legal advice service to members of staff, on a variety of topics. Applicants will require legal qualifications and relevant knowledge and experience.

Working for our organisation

We operatefrom three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, andUlverstonCommunity Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies,daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Our Community Service for adults are provided in people's homes, community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent , improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care , advice and support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Description attached but main duties are:

• Provide support to the Head of Legal Services and assist with the management of the legal team.
• Manage and co-ordinate a caseload of clinical negligence claims.
• Provide appropriate support to colleagues who are witnesses or persons able to assist with potential or actual litigation.
• Manage and co-ordinate a caseload of inquests.
• Review reports/statements for accuracy, professionalism and provide guidance to ensure reports are fit for purpose.
• Recognise and ensure the smooth organisation of complex and contentious inquests, involving all relevant Trust departments.
• Monitor Coroners’ cases and claims, to recognise risks identified from their investigation and, ensure remedial actions are properly implemented.
• Attend mediation, RTM’s and conferences with counsel for own caseload, and in the absence of the Head of Legal Services.
• Arrange and conduct pre-inquest meetings, ensuring that witnesses are supported and prepared for giving evidence.
• Attend Court and represent the Trust at pre-inquest reviews and hearings, taking detailed notes of evidence and supporting the witnesses.
• Act as an expert resource for legal team members and wider staff in relation to inquest and claim investigations and legal advice. Provide support and supervision to legal team colleagues.
• Provide support to the Head of Legal Services and assist with the management of the team.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Law degree or equivalent
• Legal Practice Certificate

Experience

• Inquest management and representation
• NHS legal experience
• Teaching/training experience

Knowledge

• Healthcare law, including inquests and claims management
• Ability to analyse, evaluate and summarise complex data
• Ability to work with people in stressful and distressing situations,
• Knowledge of NHSR guidance on clinical negligence claims

PLEASE NOTE THAT SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL.

Internal only posts are only open to employees of UHMBT and this does not include employees of OneLSC working in our hospitals.

The trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be EffortlesslyInclusive .

The trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview.

We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert

If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, there is a charge of £41.00 for Enhanced and £20.00 for Standard & Basic clearance and additional to this a £4.90 administration fee will be made to the successful candidate(s). This currently only applies to roles Band 6 and above and Medical & Dental posts.

Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 4 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

We have introduced a new system called Pre-Onboarding, specifically to support you right the way through to your first few months in your new role with us atUHMB. This bespoke site has lots of useful information to help you settle into your new role including: what to expect from the recruitment clearances process, where to get a uniform, when you'll get paid etc. As well as information on a number of our services i.e. Infection Prevention, Anti-fraud, Inclusion and Diversity, Care Certificates and much more. To access click on this link https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/uhmbt-pre-onboarding .

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