Job Summary
This exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Patient Safety Team as Litigation and Inquest Officer.
The successful post holder will be working with our panel of solicitors to progress clinical negligence claims made against the Trust and will be involved in supporting the inquest investigation process.
Responsible for facilitating the Trust's portfolio of clinical negligence claims in line with current guidelines/policies and procedures, under the supervision of the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator and the Patient Safety and Complaint Manager. With on-the-job training; liaising with CRH clinicians, Trust solicitors, Claimant's solicitors and NHS Resolution.
This important role in the Patient Safety Team works alongside the Learning Response Co-ordinators and the Patient Safety Specialist and other functions in the wider Quality Governance Team.
Main Duties of the Job
Providing support and cover as required to the Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator and Patient Safety & Litigation Administrator on the management of the Trust portfolio of Coronial investigations in line with current guidelines/policies and procedures. The post holder must be able to exercise significant discretion to work within assigned parameters and must have the confidence and the abilities to be able to identify and escalate any potential matters of concern relating to the Trust's reputation or clinical practice, to the Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator. The post holder must be accomplished in building firm and supportive working relationships with colleagues and external parties. On occasions the post holder may be exposed to Post-mortem images, and reports that may cause certain degrees of upset. The post holder should be experienced and capable in managing their resilience. There may sometimes be a requirement for the post holder to contact the claimant or members of the deceased family to offer support and provide information relating to the Trust's processes around claims and inquests. The post holder will need to support parties who are emotionally distressed and/or may need to engage in difficult conversations with colleagues in order to clarify certain areas on behalf of solicitors or the Coroner. Providing advice and support to colleagues on inquests and claim related matters, under the guidance of the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator. About Us
COMPASSION
- treating everyone with kindness - welcoming diversity and inclusion, considering individual needs; and challenging inappropriate behaviours outside of our values. AMBITION
- Aspiring to be the best - reaching high standards, providing exceptional care and services; and achieving measurable improvements in people's health and wellbeing. RESPECT
- Valuing and appreciating everyone - listening, learning, and acting on their experiences, being open and honest; and recognising that working with others brings benefits. ENCOURAGEMENT
- Opportunities for all - supporting education and development, helping people to bring their improvement ideas to life and speak-up; and getting everyone involved in our future. Date Posted:
18 December 2024 Pay Scheme:
Agenda for change Band:
Band 4 Salary:
£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum Contract:
Permanent Working Pattern:
Part-time Reference Number:
166-PSO-6707856 Job Locations:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield Road, Calow, Chesterfield, S44 5BL Job Responsibilities
Clinical Negligence Claims Management Under the guidance of the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator, manage a portfolio of potential and confirmed clinical negligence claims. Tasks include but are not limited to: Investigate and respond to all disclosure queries from claimants solicitors. Review all available healthcare records and liaise with the Patient Records Data Office, all Departments and Divisions to identify and locate all relevant records pertaining to a case. Where a serious incident/complaint identifies a breach of duty and there is the possibility of a large value claim, report to NHS Resolution irrespective of whether or not a claim has been notified or a disclosure request received. Update the Assistance and Complaints Service (ACS) Team of any new claim where there has previously been a complaint. Set up and maintain the Trust file for each claim. Ensure that all clinical negligence claims are logged on the DATIX database and update the information as required until the claim is closed. Ensure that confirmed clinical negligence claims are reported to National Health Service Resolution and that the Trust meets the time scales set down in NHS Resolution reporting requirements. Act as the Trust's named point of contact with NHS Resolution, Trust solicitors and claimants solicitors. Liaise with NHS Resolution, all solicitors (both defendant and claimant) and staff involved to facilitate the efficient handling of clinical claims. Ensure all clinical negligence claims are investigated and managed efficiently in accordance with Trust Policy, pre-action protocol and civil procedure rules. With support from the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator, identify across all staff groups, colleagues who are likely to have information and knowledge which would be material and useful to the Trust in the conduct of the claim. Where staff have left the Trust, undertake reasonable searches to locate them and request their comments. Ensure that following requests for limitation extensions from a claimants solicitor, healthcare records are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and NHSR is consulted for approval or refusal where appropriate. Assign work to and request comments on allegations, evidential reports/statements from all appropriate Clinicians. Provide the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator the clinicians' statements for proof reading, before disclosing; and ensuring that these are provided within the deadlines to prevent any unnecessary delays to the process. On occasion, provide cover for the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator in supporting the Trust's Solicitors, the Trust, and Royal Primary Care staff at internal and external case conferences. Providing emotional signposting to staff involved in clinical negligence claims and supporting as appropriate. Ensure that the Executive Medical Director and the respective Divisional Leadership Team are kept fully informed of a claim as it develops. Gain timely approval of Pre-Action Protocol documents from the relevant Executive colleagues. Provide Divisional Leadership Teams and Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator with regular updates on claims statistics along with a monthly Reportable Issues Log that can be shared with members of the Trust's Quality Delivery Group. For further information please see the Job Description. Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential NVQ Level 3 in Claims/Inquest Handling or equivalent experience RSA stage 2 in word processing, audio transcription (or willing to work towards) or equivalent. Desirable Diploma (or equivalent) in Claims/Risk Management/ Healthcare Law (or willing to work towards) or equivalent. Experience
Essential Experience in handling complex issues, analysing complex information and resolving problems. Experience in handling own workload, managing own diary and meeting strict deadlines within a busy environment. Computer literate- experience of working with IT systems/databases including Excel and reporting systems Desirable Previous experience of working in an NHS Trust or Healthcare provider and appreciation of their operation Experience of co-ordinating caseloads, monitoring, and reporting progress Knowledge and Skills
Essential Experience in the handling of clinical claims and/or sound knowledge of the Coronial system. Strong analytical and proof-reading skills to interpret medical records, clinician and expert reports, complaint, and incident documentation in relation to inquests and claims. Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to analyse complex and sensitive information and draw out conclusions. Ability to work independently within a defined set of parameters escalating/referring when necessary. Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload Desirable Understanding of Risk Management processes Personal Attributes
Essential Excellent interpersonal skills including listening and empathy. Confident in dealing with external agencies and staff at all levels. Ability to be able to travel either via private or public transport to Coroner Inquests, Pre-Inquest Review meetings and other external meetings. All reasonable travel costs will be paid by the Trust. Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer Details
Employer Name:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield Road, Calow, Chesterfield, S44 5BL Employer's Website:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Providing support and cover as required to the Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator and Patient Safety & Litigation Administrator on the management of the Trust portfolio of Coronial investigations in line with current guidelines/policies and procedures. The post holder must be able to exercise significant discretion to work within assigned parameters and must have the confidence and the abilities to be able to identify and escalate any potential matters of concern relating to the Trust's reputation or clinical practice, to the Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator. The post holder must be accomplished in building firm and supportive working relationships with colleagues and external parties. On occasions the post holder may be exposed to Post-mortem images, and reports that may cause certain degrees of upset. The post holder should be experienced and capable in managing their resilience. There may sometimes be a requirement for the post holder to contact the claimant or members of the deceased family to offer support and provide information relating to the Trust's processes around claims and inquests. The post holder will need to support parties who are emotionally distressed and/or may need to engage in difficult conversations with colleagues in order to clarify certain areas on behalf of solicitors or the Coroner. Providing advice and support to colleagues on inquests and claim related matters, under the guidance of the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator. About Us
COMPASSION
- treating everyone with kindness - welcoming diversity and inclusion, considering individual needs; and challenging inappropriate behaviours outside of our values. AMBITION
- Aspiring to be the best - reaching high standards, providing exceptional care and services; and achieving measurable improvements in people's health and wellbeing. RESPECT
- Valuing and appreciating everyone - listening, learning, and acting on their experiences, being open and honest; and recognising that working with others brings benefits. ENCOURAGEMENT
- Opportunities for all - supporting education and development, helping people to bring their improvement ideas to life and speak-up; and getting everyone involved in our future. Date Posted:
18 December 2024 Pay Scheme:
Agenda for change Band:
Band 4 Salary:
£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum Contract:
Permanent Working Pattern:
Part-time Reference Number:
166-PSO-6707856 Job Locations:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield Road, Calow, Chesterfield, S44 5BL Job Responsibilities
Clinical Negligence Claims Management Under the guidance of the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator, manage a portfolio of potential and confirmed clinical negligence claims. Tasks include but are not limited to: Investigate and respond to all disclosure queries from claimants solicitors. Review all available healthcare records and liaise with the Patient Records Data Office, all Departments and Divisions to identify and locate all relevant records pertaining to a case. Where a serious incident/complaint identifies a breach of duty and there is the possibility of a large value claim, report to NHS Resolution irrespective of whether or not a claim has been notified or a disclosure request received. Update the Assistance and Complaints Service (ACS) Team of any new claim where there has previously been a complaint. Set up and maintain the Trust file for each claim. Ensure that all clinical negligence claims are logged on the DATIX database and update the information as required until the claim is closed. Ensure that confirmed clinical negligence claims are reported to National Health Service Resolution and that the Trust meets the time scales set down in NHS Resolution reporting requirements. Act as the Trust's named point of contact with NHS Resolution, Trust solicitors and claimants solicitors. Liaise with NHS Resolution, all solicitors (both defendant and claimant) and staff involved to facilitate the efficient handling of clinical claims. Ensure all clinical negligence claims are investigated and managed efficiently in accordance with Trust Policy, pre-action protocol and civil procedure rules. With support from the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator, identify across all staff groups, colleagues who are likely to have information and knowledge which would be material and useful to the Trust in the conduct of the claim. Where staff have left the Trust, undertake reasonable searches to locate them and request their comments. Ensure that following requests for limitation extensions from a claimants solicitor, healthcare records are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and NHSR is consulted for approval or refusal where appropriate. Assign work to and request comments on allegations, evidential reports/statements from all appropriate Clinicians. Provide the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator the clinicians' statements for proof reading, before disclosing; and ensuring that these are provided within the deadlines to prevent any unnecessary delays to the process. On occasion, provide cover for the Litigation & Inquest Co-ordinator in supporting the Trust's Solicitors, the Trust, and Royal Primary Care staff at internal and external case conferences. Providing emotional signposting to staff involved in clinical negligence claims and supporting as appropriate. Ensure that the Executive Medical Director and the respective Divisional Leadership Team are kept fully informed of a claim as it develops. Gain timely approval of Pre-Action Protocol documents from the relevant Executive colleagues. Provide Divisional Leadership Teams and Litigation and Inquest Co-ordinator with regular updates on claims statistics along with a monthly Reportable Issues Log that can be shared with members of the Trust's Quality Delivery Group. For further information please see the Job Description. Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential NVQ Level 3 in Claims/Inquest Handling or equivalent experience RSA stage 2 in word processing, audio transcription (or willing to work towards) or equivalent. Desirable Diploma (or equivalent) in Claims/Risk Management/ Healthcare Law (or willing to work towards) or equivalent. Experience
Essential Experience in handling complex issues, analysing complex information and resolving problems. Experience in handling own workload, managing own diary and meeting strict deadlines within a busy environment. Computer literate- experience of working with IT systems/databases including Excel and reporting systems Desirable Previous experience of working in an NHS Trust or Healthcare provider and appreciation of their operation Experience of co-ordinating caseloads, monitoring, and reporting progress Knowledge and Skills
Essential Experience in the handling of clinical claims and/or sound knowledge of the Coronial system. Strong analytical and proof-reading skills to interpret medical records, clinician and expert reports, complaint, and incident documentation in relation to inquests and claims. Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to analyse complex and sensitive information and draw out conclusions. Ability to work independently within a defined set of parameters escalating/referring when necessary. Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise own workload Desirable Understanding of Risk Management processes Personal Attributes
Essential Excellent interpersonal skills including listening and empathy. Confident in dealing with external agencies and staff at all levels. Ability to be able to travel either via private or public transport to Coroner Inquests, Pre-Inquest Review meetings and other external meetings. All reasonable travel costs will be paid by the Trust. Disclosure and Barring Service Check:
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer Details
Employer Name:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chesterfield Road, Calow, Chesterfield, S44 5BL Employer's Website:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
#J-18808-Ljbffr
