Job overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join a small, friendly and supportive Legal Team for a fixed term of 12 months primarily to assist in the handling of the Inquest portfolio.

The successful candidate will need to be legally qualified to enable them to manage of a mixed case load of contentious inquests, clinical negligence and personal injury claims. There will be a high level of advocacy representing the interests of the Trust at Coroners Courts across the Trust's geographical location as well as assisting in the investigation and management of claims.

The successful candidate will ensure that that inquests and contentious inquests,  (and to a lesser extent, employer's liability, public liability and clinical negligence claims) are effectively managed in accordance with the Trust's Claims Policy, NHSR Scheme Rules, Civil Procedure Rules, Pre-action Protocols and Coroners Rules to minimise financial, reputation and other risks to the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Provide advocacy, as required, on behalf of the Trust at inquests relating to the organisation.

Provide specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of the inquest process, claims and healthcare law. This will be based on knowledge and experience, legislation, national, international and local guidelines and best practice.

To work with NHS Resolution and Trust solicitors in the instruction of barristers and independent experts on contentious inquests where inquest funding has been granted.

To provide assistance on the claims portfolio, working with NHS Resolution and Trust Solicitors on new and on-going claims.

To assist with the preparing and delivery of training to staff and managers on processes associated with inquests and claims.

Liaise with the Trust management, clinical leads, Learning and Development teams, and national groups to ensure learning points from claims and inquests are developed into Trust practice and, where relevant, national practice.

Attend relevant and appropriate internal and external meetings to provide learning points from inquests and claims and develop Trust practices.

To assist with the development and preparation of qualitative and statistical reports of a very high standard on claims and inquests, including external organisations, the Board of Directors, Quality Committee, Executive Directors Group and other groups, as required.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It’s established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/clinical-schools/royal-cornwall-hospitals-nhs-trust-clinical-school

https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871231209037