Wragge advises first private NHS franchise
The Birmingham office of law firm Wragge & Co has advised on a groundbreaking project for NHS East of England, to acquire a private partner to run Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust in Huntingdonshire. Preferred partner Circle has been appointed following a competitive tender for the franchise.
Healthcare partnership Circle will deliver NHS services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which marks the first private franchise relationship for the sector.
Circle will take over the operation of the Hinchingbrooke Hospital from 1 June next year, subject to approvals by the Department of Health and other regulators.
Wragge & Co partner Bleddyn Rees led the legal team on the project.
He said: "This is completely new territory for the public healthcare sector. Yet again Wragge & Co has completed a landmark first for the sector. This is not just about one hospital in the East of England - there are a number of Trusts throughout the UK facing financial challenges.
“While the option of using a statutory franchise will not be appropriate for every financially challenged Trust, in the right circumstances it provides real value. Focusing on financial savings and quality it raises some unique challenges but also offers a huge amount of practical learning."
