The healthcare and life sciences practice at Ashfords LLP is chaired by Jocelyn Ormond and Ben Tarrant, both of whom work out of the firm’s Bristol office. Acting for a diverse client base that includes NHS trusts, private hospital operators and digital healthcare centres, the team handles a broad range of matters; property acquisitions and venture capital investments stand out as key recent areas of focus. Kirsty Cooke contributes expertise in employment and immigration matters to the team, while Katie Webber is a Court of Protection proceedings specialist. Partner Vanessa James left the firm in August 2022.

A key destination for private sector healthcare providers, Burges Salmon LLP ‘s ‘first-class’ Bristol-based healthcare practice assists clients with procurement and contractual advice, M&A transactions and healthcare regulatory matters. The team is led by procurement and regulatory specialist Patrick Parkin, praised by clients for his 'depth of knowledge and experience'. Richard Binns handles litigation and alternative dispute resolution for domestic and international healthcare clients, while Lucy Pegler specialises in technology and data protection matters. Other names to note include Rory Trust, who frequently advises on contractual, procurement and regulatory issues related to major healthcare projects.

Catering primarily to the private healthcare sector, Osborne Clarke LLP's life sciences and healthcare practice advises on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters; NHS procurement, digital health and health infrastructure are all key focal points for the firm. Richard Wilkinson and Will James chair the practice from the firm’s London office. Bristol-based Catherine Wolfenden leads the firm’s regulated procurement practice, where she frequently works with major NHS suppliers on various issues. Her Bristol colleague Simon Hancock’s practice focus encompasses PPP/PFI asset management matters and capital works. Kate Davies, whose procurement expertise extends to advising on compliance with new NHS net zero requirements, is also recommended.

Led by Mark Barnett in Exeter and Gerard Hanratty in Manchester, Browne Jacobson LLP advises on health and social care matters, working with a number of NHS foundation trusts and integrated care boards across the South West. Barnett has longstanding experience of litigating clinical negligence claims, while his Exeter colleague Bridget Prosser‘s employment-centred practice sees her advising ICSs on new methods of collaborative working.

Lester Aldridge LLP‘s regulatory expertise within the healthcare sector covers both civil and criminal law matters, making the practice a popular choice for national care providers and healthcare charities. The team is additionally well placed to represent individuals in community care. Based in Bournemouth, practice head Laura Guntrip is a due diligence specialist with extensive experience of representing care providers in defence-side enforcement action proceedings. Southampton-based Bethan Dodd‘s healthcare practice notably covers primary care premise funding matters, with particular expertise in issues related to the Premise Costs Directions 2013. Nicole Ridgewell is another name to note.

Stephens Scown LLP is engaged by a wide variety of healthcare providers to advise on issues encompassing construction, immigration and IP. Practice head Helen Wallwork leverages her corporate experience to handle issues such as mergers and restructurings. Laurie Trounce's charity law background informs her advice to healthcare organisations, many of which function as social enterprises. Tim Lane, Jade Kent, and Laura Stanley further add to the expertise at the firm.

 

VWV‘s longstanding history of acting for GP practices has seen the practice handle matters such as mergers, partnership agreements, and the formation of GP federations and primary care networks. Bristol-based team head Ben Willis, who serves as chair of the National Association of Solicitors Specialising in Acting for Doctors, regularly handles property matters for GP partnerships and medical practices. His colleague Oliver Pool handles the practice’s partnership work, as well as advising on a growing number of super partnership matters. Gemma Pouncy contributes additional expertise in healthcare property matters. All named lawyers are based in Bristol.