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Newsflash: Automatic suspension maintained – first automatic suspension case post NDA
Hempsons acted on behalf of Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (the “Trusts”) in resisting an application made by Lancashire County Council (the “Council”) to lift the automatic suspension in a procurement challenge. As a result of the claim issued by the Trusts at the end of last year, the Council were automatically suspended from signing the contract with Virgin Care Services Limited (“Virgin”). The Council made an application to lift the automatic suspension. The lifting application was heard on 25 January 2018, and the Court’s judgment has now been handed down.
Government “Naylors” its Estate colours to the mast
In the official response to the Naylor Review, the government has finally acknowledged that world-class healthcare requires world-class property. The government has confirmed that it will: - Establish the NHS Property Board to ensure optimum use of the estate - Deliver strategic estates planning service to support STPs - Invest in training and development creating new career paths - Assist with the provision of additional specialist support - Improve collection and use of data - Encourage take-up across the NHS of accredited training
Newsflash: R (on the application of 1) Silviu Mitocariu, 2) Costica Lazarel) v Central & North West London NHS Founda...
Is there any legal obligation on NHS Trusts to make regular payments or give ‘pocket money’ to hospital in-patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 when they cannot meet any personal expenses themselves?
Efficiency initiatives: key issues to consider
NHS organisations continue to search for ways to improve efficiency and ultimately to save money. The Carter Review provided potential methodologies, and opportunities for savings, and Trusts are implementing various strategies. NHS Improvement has also recently pushed for consolidation in the provision of pathology services with its proposals for new networks of laboratories.
The ‘right to return’ – where GPs suspend their primary care contracts to participate in an Accountable Care Organisation,...
NHS England consulted in the autumn on changes to regulations to support the introduction of Accountable Care Organisations (ACOs). This included consultation on the ‘right to return’, a mechanism designed to provide assurance to GPs considering integrating their services with an ACO.
STPs and accountable care roundup w/c 22 January
Hempsons is pleased to bring you the latest in its series of news updates on STPs and accountable care.
Fall out from Carillion requires careful consideration
With the news of Carillion’s liquidation, a number of questions arise. From a procurement professional’s perspective, what happens to the contracts will be of paramount importance. It is unlikely to be a simple case of novating the contract to a new provider.
Managing disagreements around discharge arrangements
Hospitals across the country are coming under increasing pressure as a result of the current winter crisis. NHS Providers has written to Jeremy Hunt to outline concerns that the NHS does not have sufficient beds or staff to manage the volume of required admissions. The need for Trusts to promptly discharge patients who are well enough to leave hospital has never been more intense.
Government’s Mutuals Support Programme 2 launches and GoMutual Consortium is Raring to Go!
We are delighted to see the formal launch of the Government’s new support programme for Public Service Mutuals (Mutuals), marking the start of the next significant chapter for Mutuals and those exploring the model.
Does Bărbulescu v Romania prevent employers from ever monitoring private emails sent at work?
A recent European Court of Human Rights decision has caused confusion about whether employers can access private messages sent by their employees. In this blog we explore the background of the case, the current law in this area and the implications for employers.
HSJ shortlist Hempsons for Legal Services Provider of the year award
Hempsons has received more high-profile acclaim for our work on accountable care and system transformation – this time from the Health Service Journal with its first ever HSJ Healthcare Partnership Awards.
Indemnity cover – what you need to know
All doctors and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the need for insurance or indemnity cover, but from time to time I am referred a client who, for one reason or another, doesn’t have cover for a case – be it civil litigation, regulatory (GMC) proceedings or a criminal investigation. This can be a disaster for many reasons.
Scotland Yard to Review All Ongoing Rape Cases
Scotland Yard has announced that it will be reviewing all current rape and sex abuse investigations, following the collapse of two trials in the space of a week.
Revalidation – a trap for the unwary?
All doctors will be aware of the need to revalidate and the GMC’s responsibilities in this regard. Revalidation is the process by which doctors are required to demonstrate that they are up to date and fit to practise. Doctors must revalidate every five years, and in order to do so they must have annual appraisals based on the GMC’s guidance, Good Medical Practice.