Wragge & Co has NHS on contract for treatment centre
Jun 2 2009 by Tom Scotney, Birmingham Post
The healthcare practice at Wragge & Co has the NHS on a contract for a multi-million pound treatment centre.
The deal for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust will see the new centre built at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, and is part of the Department of Health’s independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme.
The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the Department of Health signed contracts with NHS independent sector partner Clinicenta Limited to finance, build and run the Lister Surgicentre. The East and North Hertfordshire PCT will be lead commissioner of the services. Expected to open in April 2011, the facility will treat more than 15,000 NHS patients per year.
Birmingham-based partner David Hamlett led the team with assistance from associate Julia Holdright. Lee McBride, Maxine Symington, Jessica Jones and Claire Hughes also advised on real estate, commercial and employment issues. The team worked alongside Stephen Posey, director of strategic development and project manager Wendy Scarr at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.
Mr Hamlett said: “Wragge & Co has been at the heart of NHS reforms for a number of years. The ISTC programme offers patients greater choice and access to health services across the UK. We used our in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector and understanding of our client’s objectives to create the best possible foundation for this partnership.”
Mr Posey added: “We have been working closely with Wragge & Co throughout what has been a highly complex project. The team’s advice and support has always been what we have needed to conclude a successful deal that is in the best interests of NHS patients, the Trust and its staff.”
Clinicenta is an NHS partner, providing support and capacity in the delivery of free “at the point of treatment” healthcare in the UK. CMS Cameron McKenna led by partner Paul Smith advised Clinicenta.
Wragge & Co helped the Department of Health spearhead the introduction of ISTC services, which offer patients access to surgery and diagnostic procedures for a range of conditions, including hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery.
Wragge was recently named one of the top 50 employers in the UK’s Best Workplaces survey. It was the firm’s ninth appearance in the annual report by the Great Place to Work Institute.
Senior partner Quentin Poole said: “Being recognised as a great place to work shows the attitude of our people is as positive as ever.”
