Health and Care Connect: Health Check - February 2025

21 February 2025

Bringing together the latest updates and events to help you keep your finger on the pulse of current health and care issues in the independent sector.

Welcome to Health and Care Connect’s latest edition of Health Check, a sector-specific roundup giving you a snapshot of our latest updates, key dates for your diary and noteworthy developments affecting the independent health and care sector.

This edition covers topical issues such as our 2025 health and life science predictions, the new MHRA post-market surveillance guidance, and the announcement of an independent commission to recommend long-term reform for adult social care.

Legal updates
Dates for your diary
Independent health and care sector news
External events
And more news!

#PositivePurpose: Making a difference across business and society

At Browne Jacobson, our work places us at the forefront of society’s biggest issues. We are proud to work with clients who share our values and are making a difference.

#PositivePurpose showcases the inspiring initiatives of these clients and puts the spotlight on their fantastic work. From HealthTech to regeneration, each story we share will be an opportunity to hear directly from our clients about the meaningful work they are doing.

The B2W Group

In this #PositivePurpose Video we collaborated with the Back2Work Group. The Back2Work Group is a business dedicated to equipping individuals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to progress or restart their careers. By addressing skills gaps and connecting untapped talent with employers, the Group are creating lasting benefits for individuals and communities across the country.

Watch now

Legal updates

Health and life sciences: 2025 predictions

Lawyers from Browne Jacobson’s health and life sciences team outline their predictions and advice for the sector over the coming year.

New MHRA post-market surveillance guidance published for medical devices

Matthew Alderton considers the new guidance from the MHRA for manufacturers of medical devise on post-market surveillance to help prepare for the post-market surveillance regulation due to come in force in June 2025.

Understanding AI: A guide for healthcare professionals

Heather McKay and Rahul Chohan explore the challenges faced by health and care professionals in understanding AI, demystifying common concerns and providing a foundational understanding and exploring its potential applications within the healthcare sector.

The Casey Commission: A consensus for change

James Arrowsmith discusses the announcement by the government to establish an independent commission to recommend long-term reform for adult social care.

IP: Predictions for 2025

Faye McConnell sets out her key IP predictions for 2025.

New rights to neonatal care leave and pay: What do employers need to know

In the ever-evolving landscape of employment law, the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 introduces pivotal changes for parents dealing with neonatal care. Employers must familiarise themselves with the new regulations to ensure compliance and support for their employees during these critical times.

Comments on the Prime Minister’s NHS plan

Carly Caton highlights an untapped opportunity: expanding NHS private patient units (PPUs) in collaboration with independent providers

Find out more

Striking the right balance in public-private collaboration

Rebecca Hainsworth explains the various options presented by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in this article for Healthcare Markets magazine by LaingBuisson. Understanding the legal frameworks used by NHS provider trusts to deliver care via partnership models is vital for independent healthcare providers to forge long-lasting relationships with the public sector.

Protecting managers and services

Carl May Smith wrote an article for LaingBuisson considering how recent legal precedents underscore the escalating personal liability risks for registered managers in care homes.

Our ageing population means housing needs a radical rethink

Victoria Thourgood writes in the Times about critical efforts that can be taken to increase the delivery of later living accommodation.

Effective use of AI in healthcare environments requires clinician trust

Clare Auty explores how to develop trust for emerging technology to be effectively deployed in this article for Investors in Healthcare.

Shaping a culture of respect and safety

Available on demand, watch this free webinar to learn how to create a culture of respect and safety in health care settings and how to meet the new legal duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

Watch now

Dates for your diary

25 February 2025, Coroner’s Question Time

Join us for our regular Coroner’s Question Time. One of our most popular Shared Insights events, this session will be chaired by Nicola Evans.

10 March 2025, Care Focus webinar: Criminal investigations

Join Andrew Hopkin to explore the steps an organisation should be taking after a serious incident to manage both the immediate aftermath including engagement with the police and CQC and the longer term requests for information, witness statements, interviews under caution and potentially prosecution.

March – April 2025, Mock inquest training course

This virtual training course will provide essential knowledge and tools, delivered by a range of legal experts from Browne Jacobson. The course is made up of both live and on-demand content, including insights, lectures and mock inquest scenarios. This year we are delighted to be joined by Dr Nina Lewis, Medical Examiner, Kathryn Fearn, Director of Legal Services and five experienced Coroners.

7 April 2025, Care Focus webinar: Regulatory and employment

In this session, Carl May-Smith will guide you through how to best respond to the CQC and other regulators, whilst Laura Chinyere-Ezeh will explore the legal position for the different types of workers involved in the incident, including bank, agency and directly employed staff.

12 May 2025, Care Focus webinar: Inquest

This session aims to help you understand the wider implications of an inquest, so you have this at your fingertips should the unexpected happen.

9 June 2025, Care Focus webinar: Managing risks

In this session, Helen Rideout and Leah Jones will consider the complaints process, managing requests for documents and dealing with claims. A PR professional will join us to support on reputation management and dealing with external scrutiny.

7 July 2025, Care Focus webinar: Reflection

In the final session of the programme, join us for an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned and to share experiences, learning and best practice.

10 July 2025, Health and care connect event, London

Save the date. Further details and registration link to be provided in due course.

9 October 2025, Health and care connect event, Birmingham

Save the date. Further details and registration link to be provided in due course.

Independent health and care sector news

Care Quality Commission responds to Care Provider Alliance

The CQC has published its response to the Care Provider Alliance’s review of the single assessment framework.

Government announces £100 million public-private health research boost

The Government announced 20 new clinical research hubs to be set up across the UK to accelerate research into the next generation of treatments.

Investigating suspected criminal activity in healthcare: MoU

Memorandum of Understanding published on 'Investigation healthcare incidents where suspected criminal activity may have contributed to death or serious life-changing harm'.

Knight Frank’s Care Homes Trading Performance Review published

Knight Frank has published its annual assessment operating performance in the UK care home sector.

Pay rise proposed for providers of adult care

Councillors are being recommended to approve an above-inflation increase in the amount Wolverhampton Council pays to providers of adult care.

#BeingBrowneJacobson

Updates about our specialist health and care team

We were delighted to host the Health and Care Connect Spring event with Virgin Money in Manchester on 12 February. It was an engaging and thought-provoking session with plenty of active audience participation on issues such as funding and the deals landscape, challenges and opportunities for owners/operators, the mid-market landscape and regulatory and CQC issues. Thank you to those who joined us and we look forward to our next event.