Brachers scores NHS trust coup

Maidstone-based Brachers Solicitors has been appointed as joint legal adviser to Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust and a number of West Sussex primary care trusts for the next three years. Putney-based Capsticks has also been appointed as adviser.
Brachers secured the appointment after competing in a lengthy tender process against the National Health Service Litigation Authority panel firms including, among others, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Beachcroft Wansbroughs, Bevan Ashford, Eversheds, Kennedys and Ward Hadaway. Partner Scott Alexander said that Brachers won the work because of its informal relationship with the NHS trust and because of the firm's local connections.
John Sheath, head of Brachers' healthcare team, said: "We were up against fierce competition from other leading healthcare firms. The contract will cover all areas of legal services from litigation, property and estate matters, to employment, corporate and commercial issues."
He added: "The win is a recognition of Brachers' quality and value for money in a very competitive NHS market."
Brachers also acts for East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust and last summer beat a large national firm to advise Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.