Job summary
The Trust is looking for an enthusiastic Legal Executive or recently qualified Solicitor experienced in contentious business in the legal private sector (who may also have some additional public sector experience) that now wishes to turn their skills to supporting a medium acute NHS Hospital Trust in West Norfolk as part of an in-house medico legal team.
The Post Holder will work alongside the Head of Legal services to deal with the medico legal matters that arise within the business of a busy district general hospital to include inquests, clinical claims, personal injury, data protection matters and ad hoc-on site urgent legal advice. They will also be responsible for managing a small team of administrators relating to DPA and FOI disclosures.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the Head of Legal Services in managing a dedicated legal service, managing a workload of inquests and clinical and non-clinical claims. They will work closely with NHS Resolution and their instructed solicitors and barristers; liaise with the coroners and their officers in the management of inquests; deal with police enquiries; provide support and legal advice to staff; assist in the drafting of documents for legal purposes; respond to other general and legal enquires; and provide regular information and written reports to the relevant meetings and Executive team.
The post holder will support the Head of Legal Services in ensuring that learning from inquests, claims and other relevant processes is shared Trust wide, working closely with colleagues in the Patient Safety Division to triangulate information. The post holder will deputise for the Head of Legal Services as required.
About us
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King's Lynn is located near some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, along the north Norfolk coast, and not far from Sandringham House.
We provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based healthcare services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, in addition to parts of Breckland, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire.
We have more than 4,000 staff and volunteers, approximately 530 beds, and a helipad for air ambulances. We work with neighbouring hospitals for the provision of tertiary services, including as part of regional partnership and network models of care, such as the trauma network.
In February 2022 the significant progress that has been made at QEH was recognised by the Care Quality Commission who rated the Trust as 'Good' in all of the core services they inspected. They recommended the Trust moves out of the recovery support system (formerly special measures).
The Legal Services Department is a small, cohesive and enthusiastic team well respected by the Trust staff for its timely support and practical advice, to enable them to deliver their acute front-line care to patients. Daily meetings mean that difficult issues that arise can be speedily dealt with on a teamwork basis and optimal common sense as well as legal solutions are the result.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Litigation and Medico Legal Work
For further information about this vacancy, please see the attached job description and person specification.
The post holder will:
- In conjunction with the Head of Legal Services ensure that claims against the Trust are properly investigated and reports prepared for NHS Resolution in accordance with the CNST and LTPS scheme rules, current legislation and best practice, and endorse court documentation.
- Ensure the maintenance of records and databases of all material associated with a claim including expert reports, pleadings, written statements, medical records, schedules of loss, counsels opinion, and any other relevant documents.
- Handle small claims and losses in their entirety
- Ensure all staff are supported, properly briefed and prepared for attendance in court.
- Attend conferences with Counsel, solicitors, experts, clinicians, and other staff on behalf of the Trust and take action where appropriate.
- Maintain all files to a proper legal standard and oversee the ongoing review of claims files to ensure that the actions required of the Trust are undertaken in a timely manner.
- Instruct solicitors and barristers when required, ensuring they are given very clear and concise instructions, and report inquest cases via the NHS Resolution inquest funding scheme where appropriate.
- Identify issues which may affect the Trusts reputation and continue to review such issues as they arise during the course of an inquest, working closely with the head of communications and other senior colleagues.
- Take responsibility for continuing self-development and maintaining skills and knowledge.
- Deputise for the Head of Legal Services as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Litigation and Medico Legal Work
For further information about this vacancy, please see the attached job description and person specification.
The post holder will:
- In conjunction with the Head of Legal Services ensure that claims against the Trust are properly investigated and reports prepared for NHS Resolution in accordance with the CNST and LTPS scheme rules, current legislation and best practice, and endorse court documentation.
- Ensure the maintenance of records and databases of all material associated with a claim including expert reports, pleadings, written statements, medical records, schedules of loss, counsels opinion, and any other relevant documents.
- Handle small claims and losses in their entirety
- Ensure all staff are supported, properly briefed and prepared for attendance in court.
- Attend conferences with Counsel, solicitors, experts, clinicians, and other staff on behalf of the Trust and take action where appropriate.
- Maintain all files to a proper legal standard and oversee the ongoing review of claims files to ensure that the actions required of the Trust are undertaken in a timely manner.
- Instruct solicitors and barristers when required, ensuring they are given very clear and concise instructions, and report inquest cases via the NHS Resolution inquest funding scheme where appropriate.
- Identify issues which may affect the Trusts reputation and continue to review such issues as they arise during the course of an inquest, working closely with the head of communications and other senior colleagues.
- Take responsibility for continuing self-development and maintaining skills and knowledge.
- Deputise for the Head of Legal Services as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Degree in Law.
- Professional legal qualification, registration or membership (e.g. CILEx or SRA).
- Evidence of on-going continuing professional development relevant to the role.
Desirable
- Masters held (or in progress) or other demonstrable experience as an expert legal specialist.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of liaising with courts/tribunals and other legal, bodies.
- Experience of working in an autonomous role and being able to make balanced judgments with limited day to day supervision.
Desirable
- Experience in an injury/healthcare legal role.
- Experience in clinical negligence, healthcare law, and personal injury litigation
- Experience of working in an in-house legal team.
- Experience of managing and leading staff including performance management, appraisals.
- Experience of attending and representing Trusts at pre inquest reviews and inquests.
- Experience of working with NHS Resolution for the management of claims falling under CNST and LTPS.
Skills, abilities, and knowledge
Essential
- Ability to understand, assimilate and analyse complex and sensitive information quickly, and make sound reasoned decisions in relation to matters of law.
- Ability to negotiate and advise on settlement of claims
- Ability to act under pressure and provide timely and clear legal advice, and possible solutions in ambiguous situations
- Ability to provide immediate advice to senior clinical staff in urgent and difficult medico legal emergencies.
- Strong organisational skills with a methodical approach to aspects of work
- Work with minimal close supervision and take responsibility for legal advice given.
- Sound IT skills (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel), manipulation of databases eg Access and Datix
- Excellent written and verbal skills with a proven ability to clearly communicate and explain complex issues.
Desirable
- Understanding and knowledge of the MCA 2005 in order to advise senior clinical staff in difficult capacity and best interest cases.
- Ability to provide immediate advice to senior clinical staff in urgent and difficult medico legal emergencies.
- Ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with staff at all levels within the Trust
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff who may be upset, distressed or emotional.
- Ability to deal directly with the public (patients and relatives) competently and professionally in contentious situations.
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Degree in Law.
- Professional legal qualification, registration or membership (e.g. CILEx or SRA).
- Evidence of on-going continuing professional development relevant to the role.
Desirable
- Masters held (or in progress) or other demonstrable experience as an expert legal specialist.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of liaising with courts/tribunals and other legal, bodies.
- Experience of working in an autonomous role and being able to make balanced judgments with limited day to day supervision.
Desirable
- Experience in an injury/healthcare legal role.
- Experience in clinical negligence, healthcare law, and personal injury litigation
- Experience of working in an in-house legal team.
- Experience of managing and leading staff including performance management, appraisals.
- Experience of attending and representing Trusts at pre inquest reviews and inquests.
- Experience of working with NHS Resolution for the management of claims falling under CNST and LTPS.
Skills, abilities, and knowledge
Essential
- Ability to understand, assimilate and analyse complex and sensitive information quickly, and make sound reasoned decisions in relation to matters of law.
- Ability to negotiate and advise on settlement of claims
- Ability to act under pressure and provide timely and clear legal advice, and possible solutions in ambiguous situations
- Ability to provide immediate advice to senior clinical staff in urgent and difficult medico legal emergencies.
- Strong organisational skills with a methodical approach to aspects of work
- Work with minimal close supervision and take responsibility for legal advice given.
- Sound IT skills (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel), manipulation of databases eg Access and Datix
- Excellent written and verbal skills with a proven ability to clearly communicate and explain complex issues.
Desirable
- Understanding and knowledge of the MCA 2005 in order to advise senior clinical staff in difficult capacity and best interest cases.
- Ability to provide immediate advice to senior clinical staff in urgent and difficult medico legal emergencies.
- Ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with staff at all levels within the Trust
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff who may be upset, distressed or emotional.
- Ability to deal directly with the public (patients and relatives) competently and professionally in contentious situations.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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