Interim Head of Clinical Legal Services

Head of Clinical Legal Services

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced healthcare legal professional to lead Clinical Legal Services within a large NHS organisation on an interim basis.

As Head of Clinical Legal Services, you will provide strategic leadership across clinical negligence, non-clinical claims, coronial inquests and wider healthcare legal matters. Leading a specialist team, you will oversee a complex portfolio of high-value and high-profile cases, represent the organisation at complex inquests, work closely with NHS Resolution and external legal advisers, and ensure legal risk is managed effectively while driving learning that improves patient safety and quality of care.

You will provide expert advice to executive and clinical leaders, develop policies and governance frameworks, manage external legal services and budgets, and deliver training to support staff involved in legal proceedings. A key part of the role is identifying themes and lessons from claims and inquests, embedding improvements across the organisation and influencing strategic decision-making at Board level.

Duties will include:

Provision of advice on a wide range of healthcare law queries acting as gatekeeper for external advice including but not limited to; consent, complex discharges, courts of protection, prosecutions, police issues, mental capacity/best interest..

Leading on urgent Court Protection applications to the High Court to obtain emergency orders for patient care.

Facilitating MDT meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Leading staff through process, supporting clinicians and the preparation of statements ensuring key issues have been addressed, preparing them for court alongside external lawyers.

About you

• You will have significant experience managing clinical claims, inquests and healthcare legal matters within the NHS, supported by postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience in clinical claims or medical negligence.
• A law degree and qualification as a Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive are desirable.
• You will have expert knowledge of coronial law, NHS Resolution processes and the legal frameworks governing healthcare litigation, together with outstanding leadership, communication and negotiation skills.
• You will be confident advising senior clinicians and executives, managing complex and sensitive cases, and leading a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment.

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience for this role, please apply now or contact Natalie Ferguson in our Manchester office for more information.

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