NHS trust chooses Ward Hadaway

Ward Hadaway has been appointed as the trust's sole adviser for all legal matters for an initial period of three years.
Ward Hadaway's head of healthcare Jeffrey Keeble led the bid. He said that it was a coup for the firm to have gained the instruction. "From being one of the newer kids on the block, we've established ourselves in NHS work. This win gives us a major opportunity to expand into a new sector," he said.

		"From being one of the newer kids on the block, we've established ourselves" Jeffrey Keeble, Ward Hadaway

He added that the trust had looked to the recently-formed NHS Litigation Authority's panel for ideas on which firms to use. Ward Hadaway joined the panel last year, cementing its position as a service provider to the NHS. Winning work from the trust has given the firm the opportunity to branch out from clinical negligence into general advisory work.
Keeble said: "The majority of the work will be property, commercial and employment work, in connection with the growth and development of a primary care trust."
The trust was formed last year and Ward Hadaway commercial partner Elizabeth MacRoberts has already been instructed to advise on upgrading doctors' surgeries.
Keeble said: "The competition was particularly strong for this contract, and we're glad that the NHS has again put its faith in our ability to deliver a quality service."
He said that his firm usually competes against Eversheds and Hempsons for local NHS work, but it is not known whether either of these were considered by the North Tyneside Primary Care Trust.