Internal Investigations and Inquiries in Health

There  is increased scrutiny and tighter regulatory controls across the health and social care sector, including the NHS, private hospitals and clinics, and adult care services. The pressure on organisations to carry out swift and thorough investigations means that we’re often needed at short notice.  

We provide advice for our clients on:

• the regulatory and broader legal issues that flow from allegations that something has gone wrong.
• The right procedures - how best to commission investigations, navigate governance issues and report the findings 

Our team of regulatory and governance specialists are quick to act on actual and potential issues within clients’ organisations. We investigate allegations, either alone or jointly with appointed experts in particular disciplines; data management or health and safety, for example. We also advise investigators on the investigations they are carrying out, helping ensure that the right questions are asked and the right decisions reached. 

And this all has to begin with proper preparation. We work with clients to structure the independent investigator’s brief, drafting the terms of reference, and agreeing protocols on confidentiality and data protection.

Clients are reassured by our attention to every detail, and by our experience in advising on investigations and compliance across the healthcare sector. We understand the challenges facing clients, particularly when it comes to balancing the public expectation of openness with the rights of the individuals involved. So a large part of our work focuses on the way in which clients should handle the outcome of the investigation, comply with their duties, and mitigate the risks that come with naming and criticising employees or members of the public.