Bevan Brittan’s Health PFI/PPP advisory practice is one of the strongest in the country. Our track record in major private/public sector partnering is exemplary and the strength of our practice has been recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers directories.
We have advised on a number of high value acute hospital PFI projects and other PPP projects and we have market leading, practical experience of applying the competitive dialogue procedure and draft Department of Health guidance, through our work with North Bristol NHS Trust and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on their respective PFI hospital procurements.
Some of our recent work includes:
North Bristol NHS Trust
We are currently advising the Trust on a large redevelopment (£430million) of Southmead Hospital. This is one of the first health PFI schemes to use competitive dialogue. This project is also one of the first to apply HM Treasury and DoH guidance on a post preferred bidder funding competition with the use of ‘shadow funder due diligence advisors’ to advise on funder issues for an ultimate funder during the competitive dialogue process. The project also involves complex phasing arrangements, a constrained site and the refurbishment of a number of existing/historic buildings across the site.
Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
We are advising the Trust on the development of a new cardiothoracic hospital adjacent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. We are also advising on the traditional procurement of a Research and Development Institute which will link into the new PFI hospital. Project specific issues that we have had to address on this project include the fact that the new hospital will be located on an existing health campus with other health facilities being developed around the site as well as operating health facilities being adjacent to the site. Again, this project is being procured through the competitive dialogue procedure with the use of a post preferred bidder funding competition.
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
We recently advised the Trust on its PFI project for the provision of a medium secure mental health unit. We advised on scoping the project and preparation of the documentation, including a tailored Project Agreement, in preparation for OJEU. The project was to be procured through the competitive dialogue procedure with a post preferred bidder funding competition. However, the Trust decided not to proceed with a PFI procurement before the OJEU stage.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
We advised the Trust on the redevelopment of Pembury Hospital, reaching financial close in March 2008. This large acute hospital scheme (£225 million) is the first in the country to incorporate 100% single en-suite inpatient bedrooms. Challenges to the project included a change in DH approvals process and a capacity review, together with a change from bond to bank financing.
Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust
We advised the Trust on the oncology PFI for the provision of non-surgical cancer and haematology services in Somerset that reached financial close in February 2007. The Project incorporated a significant element of equipment (radiotherapy equipment) and is one of the first equipment projects to reach financial close on a non "ring-fenced" basis.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We advised the Trust on the large (£320 million) hospital redevelopment PFI project, which reached financial close in 2005. This complex project included a mix of new and refurbished facilities and hard FM and soft FM services.
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust
We advised the Trust on the first significant mental health PFI that reached financial close in 2004. The £75 million scheme included the re-provision of community and forensic mental health facilities in Avon. The scheme involved multiple sites and complicated issues of phasing and is one of only a handful of specialist mental health PFI schemes.
For all schemes that have reached financial close, we continue to advise on a variety of construction and operational issues.