Claims and Legal Coordinator

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people's own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.
We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking 'what matters to you'.
We're passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.
Our application process aims to understand each candidates knowledge, skills and experience. We have found that candidates that use AI to generate their answers can lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description.
It is really important to personalise your application to convey your individual skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively and for us to understand why you are applying for this role with GHC. We discourage over reliance on AI-generated applications as it will lessen your chances of success in securing an interview with us ., 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., 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., · 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 claim's 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.

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.

When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:
+ Free car parking at many of our sites
+ 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
+ A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
+ A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
+ Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours
+ Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities
+ Recognition and long service awards
+ Fast Track physiotherapy
+ Our Wellbeing line
+ Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.