Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services
Band: 8a
Department: Clinical Legal Services
Location: Bournemouth Hospital with requirement to work across Trust sites and off-site locations
Contract: Temporary
Start: ASAP
We are seeking an
experienced Deputy Head of Clinical Legal Services to support the Head of Clinical Legal Services with the day-to-day management of the Trust's claims and inquest portfolio.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of inquests, non-clinical claims and clinical claims.
- Represent the Trust as an Interested Person at Coroner's Court and make submissions on Coronial law.
- Provide specialist legal advice on healthcare law, consent, capacity and best interests.
- Deputise for the Head of Clinical Legal Services on operational and leadership matters.
- Liaise with NHS Resolution, solicitors, Coroners, claimants and external representatives.
- Investigate complex claims and inquests, reviewing medical records, complaints and incident investigations.
- Prepare and support witnesses for court and inquest attendance.
- Produce reports and trend analysis for Quality Committees, Clinical Governance and other senior Trust forums.
- Identify learning, risks and reputational issues arising from claims and inquests.
- Support the day-to-day supervision and workload allocation of Clinical Legal Services staff.
Essential Experience:
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant post-qualification experience.
- Minimum 3 years' experience of claims, inquests and healthcare law within an NHS setting.
- Experience representing clients in court and contentious matters.
- Strong experience of Coroner's Court and inquest procedures.
- Knowledge of NHS Resolution, clinical claims and relevant pre-action protocols.
- Experience advising on Mental Capacity Act, consent, capacity and best-interest matters.
- Excellent analytical, investigative and report-writing skills.
- Ability to manage complex and sensitive cases autonomously.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, including dealing with distressed individuals and senior stakeholders.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet strict legal deadlines.
Desirable:
- Court of Protection experience.
- Mediation experience.
- Experience supervising or managing staff.
- NHS complaints and Medical Examiner experience.
- Experience presenting to Trust committees and senior governance forums.
- Capsticks Diploma in Clinical Risk and Claims Management.
This is a senior healthcare clinical legal role requiring strong experience across claims, inquests and healthcare law.
Interested? Please send your up-to-date CV as soon as possible to:
[email protected] 