Job Description

The Legal Services Manager will be responsible for the effective and proactive management of claims against the Trust and our responses to inquests into deaths of individuals who have used our service. A good level of knowledge of the processes and procedures associated with the management of clinical claims, coronial law, consent and Duty of Candour legislation is essential for this role. They will ensure that staff have access to clear relevant and up-to-date legal advice, acting as a gatekeeper to the utilisation of the external legal advice as necessary building a good relationship with NHS Resolution as well as external law firms, representing both the Trust and other parties.



The Legal Services Manager will ensure the Trust develops an ability to learn from claims, HM Coroners inquests, NHSLA negligence trends and themes, with the aim of reducing both harm to patients and litigation costs.



This is a dynamic environment where the ability to adjust plans and prioritise effectively is critical to the role. The role is not fully remote and necessitates a physical presence at the hospital.



The main responsibilities of this role will be



Litigation



Inquests



Legal Advice



Education/training



Updating policies



Updating legal database



Budget management



Line management of staff within the team



Liaison Manager with external stakeholders



Quarterly litigation reports



This is not an exhaustive list but intended as an example of work.



Further details can be found in the .



We have an excellent reputation for being innovative, responsive and flexible to the changing clinical needs of the local population. We are treating more patients than ever before and are dedicated to improving services to deliver the best for our patients.



Our mission

Helping local people live longer, healthier lives.

Our vision

Provide safe, personal, co-ordinated care for the community we serve.

Our goals



We have developed six key strategic goals to make sure we continue to support people to live longer, healthier lives.



To secure the best possible health and wellbeing for all our community To integrate and coordinate care in person-centred teams To deliver consistent, high quality, safe services To support our patients and users in being active partners in their care To be recognised as a leader in the fields of medical and multi-professional education, and population-based clinical research To innovate and continuously improve the quality of our services to deliver the best outcomes for our local population.

Our values underpin everything we do. Our staff are committed to delivering the following values in everything they do.



Our ICARE values have been created by our staff and are embedded in our appraisal and planning processes and form part of our staff excellence awards.

Responsibilities:

Litigation



1. To lead on the management and handling of all clinical claims made against the Trust in accordance with relevant pre-action protocols, civil procedure rules and NHS Resolution reporting requirements, performing all functions as required.



2. To be the nominated Trust contact for the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA).



3. To oversee the reporting of new legal claims including timely provision of documents and statements against the Trust promptly, and in accordance with NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) reporting guidelines.



4. To liaise with trust employees and external organisations, including the NHS Litigation Authority, solicitors, litigants in person, HM Coroner, clinical experts and other NHS organisations in order to facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of the trust's claims function.



5. Review statements and reports from witnesses and response letters. suggesting re-drafts where warranted and requesting formal legal review from Trust solicitors when necessary.



6. To oversee the initial investigation into allegations of clinical negligence made by the claimant/ claimant's solicitors.



7. Communicate highly contentious, sensitive information to patients, claimants and staff.



8. Attend case conferences, court hearings, round table meetings and mediations on behalf of the Trust with the support of Counsel where necessary.



9. Provide face to face and telephone advice to staff who are to write reports or are called as witnesses and to facilitate formal support via Trust solicitors when required.



10. Advise the Head of Patient Safety & Legal Services, Medical Director, Chief Nurse, Deputy Chief Nurse and Associate Director for Quality Governance of any incidents, potential risks or recommendations discovered through clinical claims which may impact on the risk management policy trust wide.



11. To answer basic queries, instructing Trust solicitors where formal advice is needed in accordance with the Trust Protocol for Accessing Legal Services.

Responsibilities:

Inquests



1. To lead on the management of inquests involving the Trust and attend inquests to support staff and represent the Trust as required.



2. To identify those inquests which may require legal representation and to instruct solicitors via NHS Resolution as required.



3. To lead on the management of requests from HM Coroners, to gather and provide relevant information and identify witnesses in respect of inquests.



4. Scrutinise medical records to identify the relevant consultants and clinicians involved in the care of the deceased patient, obtaining necessary reports for disclosure to HM Coroner, as well as identifying potential claims from the circumstances leading to the death.



5. Liaise with the Head of Patient Safety & Legal Services, Lead for Learning from Deaths, and Complaints Manager to ensure any investigations or complaints are linked to the inquest and all reports are collated.



6. Act as the point of contact with the coroner's offices in relation to inquests in which the Trust is involved, ensuring that the relevant Trust teams receive timely notifications of death, that requests for statements are actioned and requirements to attend are dealt with.



7. Ensure all staff called to give evidence are supported, including giving advice on writing statements and giving evidence.



8. Coordinate and attend pre-inquest meetings with witnesses and solicitors (if appointed).



9. Advise and assist the Head of Communications with drafting press statements ahead of inquests which may result in media interest.



10. Update Executives on any high-risk inquests



11. Ensure the Trust complies with its duties in relation to the coronial legislation.



12. Provide a summary from the outcomes of all inquests to senior teams and those involved, in a sensitive and timely manner.



13. Work with the Trust's appointed solicitors to commission training for all relevant staff on key aspects of coronial law.

Responsibilities:

Legal Advice



1. To commission legal advice as required on a variety of issues



2. To assist in the appointment of Trust solicitors



3. To act as the principal point of contact for staff wishing to obtain legal advice in appropriate areas



4. Assist in the review of or drafting and advice on Trust policies, draft contracts and other legal documents

Responsibilities:

Education



1. To assist in the development and delivery of educational programmes related to patient legal issues at all levels across the organisation.

Responsibilities:

General



1. To ensure that claims and inquest policies are up-to-date and maintained.



2. To maintain the Datix legal database module (for claims and inquests) to ensure that it meets the requirements of the NHS Litigation Authority.



3. Act as liaison manager with police authorities for serious criminal investigations and to provide help and assistance to staff with statement writing and court appearances.



4. To effectively manage resources, ensuring legal costs are proportionate to the particular case matter.



5. To appraise and develop staff within the department and support them with appropriate training.



6. To produce quarterly litigation reports for corporate committees.