Health Sector

The UK health market is being transformed.  The autonomy achieved by the increasing numbers of NHS Foundation Trusts has brought with it considerable and varied commercial opportunities requiring a strong focus on regulation, governance, property portfolio considerations, funding and personnel issues.  The Darzi review, will shape services fit for the 21st century with plurality of provider, competition, and accessibility of service driven by improved commissioning and market management.  With finite monies and an increasing demand by patients and the public seeking the best that healthcare can provide there will be stark choices to make based on affordability and cost. 

Likewise, the public sector is changing.  Budget cuts mean that central and local government departments continue to change and improve the way they work, notably through greater use of outsourcing and more efficient use of people and property.  The pace of change is accelerating, driven by the need to demonstrate value for money and customer satisfaction.

Beachcroft is one of the largest health commercial law firms in the country, advising both public and private healthcare providers and NHS commissioners of service.  With one of the most experienced and forward thinking health advice and clinical risk teams in the country, we are able to offer a comprehensive, integrated legal service from a business perspective to healthcare providers and commissioners.  Services are provided across advisory, regulatory and clinical and healthcare risk disciplines with strong links to commercial, corporate, employment, and property colleagues to ensure a truly integrated approach to achieve business solutions.  Ranked first in its class the team is known for:

' The standard of work and superb quality of advice' keep clients walking through the door of this firm. ' They tailor their advice to meet our needs,' and clients value Beachcroft's ' realistic approach to cases.' (Chambers 2008)

Our in-depth knowledge of the sector, combined with our corporate deal making capabilities, means we can offer  strategic advice and due diligence to  private and public  sector providers and investors so guiding them through the complex regulatory environment which is also undergoing substantial change.

Importantly, we won't waste your time or your money.

' They don't build up unnecessary costs - they are good at assisting us when we need them but they won't waste time going over the obvious.' (Chambers 2008)

Supporting our efforts in all of these areas is our ability to draw on the advice of national leaders with links to Government, the Department of Health and various Strategic Health Authorities. 

For more information contact Nigel Montgomery.

The Public Sector

The public sector is subject to continual changes to its structures and legal frameworks, while facing ongoing pressures to improve public services, demonstrate value for money and cut costs.  Public sector bodies need lawyers who can work with them across all areas to achieve their public service goals within their legal powers and deliver business solutions which represent both effective use of resources and appropriate progress towards wider goals.

Beachcroft's ' excellent reputation for public sector work' (Chambers 2007) comes from extensive experience of doing just that. 

Our multi-disciplinary public sector lawyers work with all parts of the public sector, including central and local government, NDPBs and government agencies, regulators, educational institutions and NHS bodies.  As an OGC-approved supplier we work with clients on all their organisational needs from employment and property to IT and out-sourcing, and our highly-regarded PFI/PPP lawyers have a wealth of experience in projects across the public sector.  All of this work is underpinned by our Public Law team, the largest and most-experienced in the country, which is given the highest rankings in its field by both Chambers and Legal 500. 

' in-depth and pragmatic' industry knowledge, with 'outstanding knowledge of local government law' (The Legal 500 UK,2008)

The team has an unrivalled level of expertise and experience in relation to public law, ensuring not only a very high quality level of service on public law matters but also that teams working in other areas of law understand the particular legal frameworks within which public sector bodies must operate. 

We are known for working closely and effectively in partnership with our public sector clients, including their in-house legal teams, and the firm employs many lawyers who have previously worked within the public sector.  This gives us a high level of understanding of the financial, political and professional dynamics of public sector working.  

For more information contact Stephen Hocking.