Legal Services Advisor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated candidate to join the legal services team at Bedfordshire Hospitals as Legal services Advisor. The Legal Services Advisor will assist the Head of Legal Services to manage the legal services work within the Trust, which includes inquests, claims, and litigations. The post holder may also be required to provide general legal advice and training to staff on legal issues.
The Legal Services team works closely with the Risk & Safety team, who carry out Patient safety Incident and High Level Investigations. The Legal Services Advisors work closely with this team to ensure that lessons from adverse events are learned and improvement actions implemented.
We are looking for a suitably qualified candidate with experience of and an interest in the legal aspects of delivering healthcare. Someone who is confident and competent at providing advice and support to their clinical colleagues. Someone who is passionate about learning from adverse events in order to implement change and embed learning. Someone who is a team player, a good communicator, organised and reliable., The post holder is responsible for (this includes and is not limited to):
Assisting the Head of Legal Services and Legal Assistant in the conduct of all Coroner's Inquests, including undertaking preliminary investigations. This is a key part of the role.
Assisting the Head of Legal Services in the conduct of personal injury claims made against the Trust.
Supporting the Head of Legal Services in the:
Provision of a high level and prompt legal advice service; and
Preparation of administrative work leading up to an Inquest including notification of Inquests to NHS Resolution and preparation of Inquest funding requests.
Supporting the Head of Legal Services in management of clinical negligence claims.
Facilitating the functions of the Legal Department and providing advice on matters related to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Safeguarding and general day to day legal advice that may arise.
Providing administrative and clerical support in respect of legal matters as needed
Linking complaints with incidents and claims on the DATIX Risk Management System
To support the department in sharing the learning throughout the organisation through regular reporting.
To support the Department Manager in the preparation of reports and papers for the Board (Clinical Quality Operational Board) and all other stakeholders as needed.
Attending Risk and Governance Meetings to share the triangulation of data obtained from Claims, Incidents and Inquests., Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job., The post holder is responsible for (this includes and is not limited to):
Assisting the Head of Legal Services and Legal Assistant in the conduct of all Coroner's Inquests, including undertaking preliminary investigations. This is a key part of the role.
Assisting the Head of Legal Services in the conduct of personal injury claims made against the Trust.
Supporting the Head of Legal Services in the:
Provision of a high level and prompt legal advice service; and
Preparation of administrative work leading up to an Inquest including notification of Inquests to NHS Resolution and preparation of Inquest funding requests.
Supporting the Head of Legal Services in management of clinical negligence claims.
Facilitating the functions of the Legal Department and providing advice on matters related to Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Safeguarding and general day to day legal advice that may arise.
Providing administrative and clerical support in respect of legal matters as needed
Linking complaints with incidents and claims on the Inphase risk management system.
To support the department in sharing the learning throughout the organisation through regular reporting.
To support the Department Manager in the preparation of reports and papers for the Board (Clinical Quality Operational Board) and all other stakeholders as needed.
Attending Risk and Governance Meetings to share the triangulation of data obtained from Claims, Incidents and Inquests.
The post holder will be expected to work closely with staff at all levels of the organisation. The post holder will be required to work independently, under supervision and as part of a team.
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE POST:
Clinical Negligence Claims
To support the Head of Legal Services in the conduct of clinical negligence claims, including providing administrative support as necessary.
This includes responsibility when necessary for typing letters and sending e-mails to Claimants' Solicitors, Trust Solicitors, General Managers, Consultants, and General Public etc.
The post-holder will also support:
Reporting of claims to NHS Resolution using the Claims Management System within the agreed timescales bearing in mind the penalties for late reporting.
Requesting comments from clinical staff involved
Obtaining and providing associated documentation to Trust solicitors and NHS Resolution.
Personal Injury Claims
To assist the Head of Legal Services in the conduct of all personal injury claims by:
Opening a new DATIX and electronic file for all new Personal Injury claims;
Retrieving and collating all records necessary for the investigation of the claim and completing the "Investigation Pack" as required by the NHS Resolution;
Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from the NHS Resolution and/or their solicitors which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances;
Analysis and assessment of complex factual scenarios (which may be distressing in nature) in the identification of relevant factual witnesses and any key legal, ethical or patient safety issues that may arise out of the personal injury claim.
Liaising with HR and other departments as needed to obtain all necessary documentation in the claim.
Coroners' Inquests
To assist the Head of Legal Services in their conduct of Coroners' Inquest cases by completing preliminary and administrative tasks in the preparation of such cases, including:
Maintaining a professional and amicable working relationship with the various Coroners' Officers;
Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from Coroners' Officers which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances;
Opening a DATIX and electronic file for all new Inquest matters and maintaining/updating the DATIX and paper file records as the matter develops;
Identifying all relevant witnesses, and requesting reports and/or statements from the relevant witnesses, ensuring at all times that any time limits imposed by the Coroner's Office are met;
Analysis and assessment of complex clinical and factual scenarios (which are frequently highly distressing) in the identification of relevant factual witnesses and any key legal, ethical or patient safety issues that may arise in the Coroner's inquiry;
Escalating any potentially contentious issues and/or any problems in obtaining witness reports/statements with the Head of Legal Services (as appropriate) and proactive identification of potential solutions;
Co-ordinating Pre-Inquest Meetings and court hearing appointments for the Head of Legal Services and the relevant witnesses and, if appropriate, NHS Resolution / external panel solicitors/ Counsel;
Liaising with the Communications team in respect of Inquests that may receive press attention, and preparing statements in advance if required.
Supporting all Trust staff who are witnesses whilst investigations are on-going through process from request for Statements/ reports to the Inquest itself;
Ensuring that conclusions are promptly obtained from the relevant Coroners' Officers following the conclusion of Inquests and ensuring that the DATIX and paper files are closed and archived as appropriate.
Legal Advice
To support the Head of Legal Services in ensuring the provision of the highest level of prompt and accurate expert advice by:
Ensuring that all queries, whether in-person, telephone or email queries (including queries by external organisations, including the Police, CCG, PHSO, Luton Borough Council) are promptly received/reviewed and directed to the appropriate member at the Trust to action, as well as the Head of Legal Services;
Providing administrative support as necessary, including retrieval of medical records, policies and procedures and other documentation as appropriate.
Inquests, Conferences with Counsel, and Trials
To support the Head of Legal Services in the preparation of all legal matters by
Providing administrative support as necessary, including retrieval of medical records, collation of medical records, reports/statements and court bundles, as appropriate;
Assisting in the finalisation of documents (including Court documents)
Providing any other support that may be required including under time-pressured circumstances.
Preparing summary overview reports and identifying key areas of risk for Inquests
To assist the Head of Legal Services in the preparation reports for clinical negligence, inquests and personal injury claims as necessary and appropriate.
It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.