Job summary
1 x Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 12 months
Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment
To provide confidential and professional support to the Corporate Governance Directorate.The Corporate Governance Directorate incorporates Legal Services, Records Management, Accessing Health Records, Health & Safety and Security.
Main duties of the job
The purpose of the job holder will be to:
To be primarily responsible for all low-value clinical negligence, employee and/or public liability claims and property expenses claims against the Trust.
To prepare pre-action protocols for the range of claims against the Trust in line with NHSR guidelines.
To independently manage and engage in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process for claims within the role profile.
To administer the maintenance of all Trust insurance policies.
To manage and maintain legal databases.
To represent the Trust at appropriate meetings with the Court, Solicitors and Tribunals.
The post holder will be required to have a thorough working knowledge of structures within Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust in order to progress cases and enquiries on behalf of the Legal Services & Inquest Officers.
About us
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Claims and Litigation
To maintain procedures for ensuring efficient management of litigation claims, using existing Trust and NHSR policies, Pre-Action Protocols and Civil Procedure Rules and the Trust Legal Case Management System (ActionStep).
To record all outcomes of claims against the Trust in line with existing internal policies and procedures.
Independently and proactively manage all low-value claims against the Trust to ensure that standards and litigation deadlines are met.
Receive, analyse, and review complex legal documentation and correspondence, and communicate both verbally and in writing with NHS Resolution, witnesses, and claimants external to the organisation.
Consult with and support all Trust colleagues involved in claims, including clinical and non-clinical staff at all levels, throughout the entire process and ensure that the Legal Services & Inquest Officers are informed of pertinent issues.
Identify and escalate claims risks and issues which may have an impact on the organisation.
Independently identify, collate, and review complex evidence and witness statements in relation to claims against the Trust.
Maintaining and building upon existing working relationships with NHS Resolution and Panel Solicitors as a single point of contact, ensuring that there is a high degree of cooperation and exchange of information to ensure the best possible outcome for Claimants and the Trust in the settlement of claims.
To assist in the management of Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process and to exercise their own judgement to negotiate and agree settlements with claimants on behalf of the organisation.
Form primary liability decisions based upon the review and analysis of detailed technical clinical and non-clinical data in relation to claims and seek authorisation from the Legal Services & Inquest Officers to admit liability on indefensible claims.
Manage and maintain electronic claims files, ensuring accurate and contemporaneous recording of information, invoices, and communications.
Maintain own knowledge of relevant law relating to claims and be aware of updates through personal study and attending seminars run by panel firms of solicitors.
Independently analyse complex, sensitive data, compile and produce comprehensive reports in relation to all claims activity and present findings via verbal briefing and in report format at relevant committee meetings.
To assist the Legal & Officers in designing and delivering ad-hoc training to colleagues within the Trust on the claims process and what it means to be a witness of fact in the same.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Claims and Litigation
To maintain procedures for ensuring efficient management of litigation claims, using existing Trust and NHSR policies, Pre-Action Protocols and Civil Procedure Rules and the Trust Legal Case Management System (ActionStep).
To record all outcomes of claims against the Trust in line with existing internal policies and procedures.
Independently and proactively manage all low-value claims against the Trust to ensure that standards and litigation deadlines are met.
Receive, analyse, and review complex legal documentation and correspondence, and communicate both verbally and in writing with NHS Resolution, witnesses, and claimants external to the organisation.
Consult with and support all Trust colleagues involved in claims, including clinical and non-clinical staff at all levels, throughout the entire process and ensure that the Legal Services & Inquest Officers are informed of pertinent issues.
Identify and escalate claims risks and issues which may have an impact on the organisation.
Independently identify, collate, and review complex evidence and witness statements in relation to claims against the Trust.
Maintaining and building upon existing working relationships with NHS Resolution and Panel Solicitors as a single point of contact, ensuring that there is a high degree of cooperation and exchange of information to ensure the best possible outcome for Claimants and the Trust in the settlement of claims.
To assist in the management of Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process and to exercise their own judgement to negotiate and agree settlements with claimants on behalf of the organisation.
Form primary liability decisions based upon the review and analysis of detailed technical clinical and non-clinical data in relation to claims and seek authorisation from the Legal Services & Inquest Officers to admit liability on indefensible claims.
Manage and maintain electronic claims files, ensuring accurate and contemporaneous recording of information, invoices, and communications.
Maintain own knowledge of relevant law relating to claims and be aware of updates through personal study and attending seminars run by panel firms of solicitors.
Independently analyse complex, sensitive data, compile and produce comprehensive reports in relation to all claims activity and present findings via verbal briefing and in report format at relevant committee meetings.
To assist the Legal & Officers in designing and delivering ad-hoc training to colleagues within the Trust on the claims process and what it means to be a witness of fact in the same.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A law degree or equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Demonstrate knowledge of NHS policies, Data Protection Act, Clinical Governance issues
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a legal environment and/or the NHS
- Working knowledge of healthcare law, the relevant Pre-Action Protocols and Civil Procudure Rules
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A law degree or equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Demonstrate knowledge of NHS policies, Data Protection Act, Clinical Governance issues
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a legal environment and/or the NHS
- Working knowledge of healthcare law, the relevant Pre-Action Protocols and Civil Procudure Rules
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).
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).
