Shared Insights: Collaborative working with patients' solicitors - courts, claims and litigation update

Sarah Stork, Senior Associate, provides an update on how the courts are dealing with litigation during the Covid 19 pandemic.

16 June 2020

These insights were shared at our fortnightly online forum for NHS professionals on 16 June 2020. To find out more please visit our Shared Insights hub.

Karen Reynolds is a partner at Freeths who acts for patients and families and specialises in clinical negligence claims. Karen explained how claimant firms were being affected by the pandemic and what the future may hold for litigation post Covid-19. She shared her thoughts on how NHS Trusts can work collaboratively with patients and their representatives to deal with claims more effectively and efficiently while continuing to recognise the need to keep the injured patient at centre of any dispute or claim.

Sarah Stork, Senior Associate at Browne Jacobson, provided an update on how the courts are dealing with litigation during the Covid 19 pandemic.

The Shared Insights were:

Many patients’ representatives are now on a remote working footing but are operational and “open for business”
Respectful communication is key in building trust and facilitating open and honest discussions with patients and their representatives
Use the telephone or other ‘video call’ platforms
If writing, take care of the use of language and the tone of your communication
Be adaptable and innovative
If investigating a dispute, use remote platforms, for instance with experts conducting ‘remote examinations’, or discussing matters with clinicians
In resolution of a claim, consider remote forms of dispute resolution (remote mediation, for example)
Continue to find a way to work more collaboratively to resolve patient concerns. Always try to narrow the issues and where possible achieve effective resolution of concerns
Would an early meeting between Trust and Claimant’s representatives help?
To find out more, click here to read Freeths thoughts on the session and click here to read about Browne Jacobson’s focus on collaborative working

.cta-download-button {cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; padding-top: 9px; background: #b40838; border-radius: 0px; color: #fff; overflow: hidden; position: relative; margin-left: 5px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; border: #b40838; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; width:100%; text-align:center; line-height: 40px; max-width: 320px; margin-top: 30px; } .cta-download-button:hover{ background: #91082e; line-height: 40px; } .cta-download-button a, .cta-download-button a:visited, .cta-download-button p a:hover {color:#ffffff !important; text-decoration:none;}

Download PDF

Damian Whitlam

Partner

damian.whitlam@brownejacobson.com

+44 (0)330 045 2332

View profile

Contact Damian

Clinical negligence

Dispute resolution and litigation

Health and social care disputes

University Hospital Leicester hold their inaugural Maternity Safety Conference

28 February 2023

Opinion - Maternity services

University Hospital Leicester hold their inaugural Maternity Safety Conference

22 March 2023

In Person Event

Navigating your way through high profile sensitive reviews and investigations

Junior doctors vote unanimously in favour of strike action

23 February 2023

Opinion

Junior doctors vote unanimously in favour of strike action

Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?

21 February 2023

Opinion

Can toilet facilities amount to sex discrimination?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approval to take over from the Solicitors Indemnity Fund

17 February 2023

Opinion

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approval to take over from the Solicitors Indemnity Fund

Embargoed Judgments: A Professional Word of Caution

16 February 2023

Legal Update

Embargoed Judgments: A Professional Word of Caution

Digital Twin Technologies: key legal contractual considerations

14 February 2023

Published Article

Digital Twin Technologies: key legal contractual considerations

Consultation launched on minimum ambulance service levels during strike action

14 February 2023

Opinion