Legal Support Officer

at  Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a keen, enthusiastic, highly motivated person to join the Claims Team (and wider Governance Department) at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.
We are looking for a Legal Support Officer who has some legal, claims and/or inquest experience to support the Claims Team, which is responsible for a portfolio of clinical negligence and public/employer liability claims, Inquests and the provision of some healthcare advice. The scope of the work is wide and interesting with the workload being busy, making this a challenging but extremely satisfying and rewarding role contributing to the delivery of outstanding healthcare and patients’ experience.
The role offers a mixed and interesting administration role as well as a caseload of claims and inquests. You will often be a first contact for staff and external stakeholders being able to advise and signpost accordingly.
To support in the provision of an effective and time sensitive service for legal support functions within the Governance Department. This will ensure timely and appropriate communication and information, verbal and written, whilst gaining agreement and co-operation, in relation to legal documents/proceedings to the NHS Resolution (NHSLR), defence solicitors, the office of HM Coroner, and witnesses (Staff).
Plan, arrange and take transcripts of meetings between clinicians, solicitors, H.M.coroners and the police as necessary in relation to legal claims and inquests. Including organising complex legal case conferences involving hospital staff in liaison with Trust solicitors and Counsel and prepare and circulate as necessary all documentation required;
To produce quarterly and ad hoc reports in relation to potential, ongoing and closed legal
claims.
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Corporate Responsibilities
To support the Legal Services Manager in providing a professional service in respect of Litigation Claims, Inquests and other legal matters which arise such as Court of Protection Orders.
To liaise with senior leaders in the Trust as required to provide briefings related to cases on going and guide decision making based on facts available.
To generate reports are required which are suitable for a range of audiences, including external partners, courts and the public if required.
To escalate any concerns or high interest claims or inquests whether potential or ongoing to the Legal Services Manager or head of Governance immediately.
To obtain and collate statutory documentation for the RPST claims for NHSR and advise on liability based on the information gathered.
Supporting Clinical Excellence
Work closely with clinical and other teams to provide support and expertise in the litigation/inquest process in order to support clinical excellence in care of NGH patients.
Ensure Trust policies and National Peer reviewed publications/National Guidance is used as the benchmark for care when considering claims and inquest risks
Supporting Patient Excellence
To ensure that lessons learnt from legal cases/inquests are disseminated to the Directorate/Division to maximise learning to improve patient safety
People/Management Excellence
In conjunction with the Claims Team, ensure that the use of resources within the team is maximised
Maintain databases as required by the Legal Services Manager
Supporting Financial Excellence
Be aware of the financial implication of the work of the team and ensuring a ‘Best Value’ approach when liaising with NHSR and the Trust Solicitors
Identify trends and seek ways of using this to improve safety in the Trust thus reducing the litigation burden on the Trust.
Identify potential and actual risks identified through claims and bring to the attention of the Claims Manager
Support the management and coordination of the Employers and Public Liability Claims process against the Trust in line with the Ministry of Justice Civil Procedure Rules and NHS
Resolution reporting requirements. Identify documentation necessary for NSHR to admit/repudiate RPST (Risk Pooling Scheme for Trusts) claims in the time limit stipulated by the Civil Procedure Rules.
Service Development/ Quality Improvement Responsibilities
Ensuring ‘Lessons learnt’ are shared with key leaders in the organisation to enhance care of patients in the future
Assist the Legal Services Manager to contribute to training opportunities and staff induction within the Trust in relation to the work of the Claims team;
Foster a clear awareness and understanding of the legal processes and issues relating to healthcare litigation and claims.
General Responsibilities
Build and maintain good relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff across the Trust and with other local services and organisations;
Develop and maintain a clear knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the NHSR;
Prioritise an unpredictable workload maintaining the flexibility to change priorities at the last minute.
Handle complex and occasionally distressing information in a sensitive manner extracting the details required and maintaining discretion.
Ensure all timescales (internal and external, including legal) are me

Please refer the Job description for details