"During 41 years’ service in the NHS working at very senior level for 35 years I rarely had cause to seek legal advice. However during the last 10 years the introduction of regulation has put CEOs and their Boards in a position where they face sanctions that in the worst case scenario could lead to criminalisation. However what really concerns me is the effect that regulation (however well intended) can have on patient care. I sought advice from Ridouts on several occasions when my real worry and concerns for patient care reached a level I could not tolerate. Ridouts support was crucial in enabling me to be very clear about the consequences in law of certain actions that were being proposed by the regulator. They were also able to facilitate communication with the regulator which was clear, factual, unemotional and reasonable. Using Ridouts enabled me to get a better safer more strategic outcome for my patients, protected the workforce involved and surprisingly perhaps helped foster a much better relationship with the regulator."

“When the trust was threatened with enforcement action by the CQC, our response was a typical NHS one of arguing on the grounds of proportionality and equity. Engaging Ridouts turned our approach on its head and brought into focus that this was a legal process and required an expert legal response. The team couldn’t have been more supportive or committed and cancelled personal plans to stay late into the evening to ensure a crucial submission deadline was met. This approach proved to be successful with the threat of action removed.”