Andrew joined VWV from Lockharts Solicitors which he co-founded in 1995 after 15 years of primary care regulatory and contract work at another highly respected healthcare firm. He was previously the Senior Partner and Head of the Commercial and Corporate Healthcare Department at Lockharts Solicitors, prior to the merger with Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP, specialising in legal and business advice solely in the healthcare sector.
For more than twenty years, Andrew acted for the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA on a wide range of regulatory and contractual issues affecting GPs, including the New GMS Contract in 2004.
In 2005, he was given an award at the Annual LMC Conference Dinner in recognition of 21 years' service to GPs in the UK. In 2011, Andrew's name was entered on the BDA's Roll of Distinction for Outstanding Services to UK Dentistry, the only solicitor to have received this award. Andrew was also named as a 'Super Lawyer for Business Affairs' in 2013.
I work for the firm's Healthcare clients and advise healthcare practitioners on issues relating to practice developments, practice mergers and acquisitions, NHS England contracting issues and on CQC processes. I am also actively involved in supporting the overall business development for our Healthcare team.
Our Healthcare clients are the key priority. My role is to keep on top of client matters, and to assist and meet clients' needs and requirements. As our firm core value, it is crucial that we uphold the client being the centre of the firm on all levels.
Within the team, my main objective is to build our relationship and expand the healthcare work we do with our key intermediaries, such as banks, surveyors, accountants, and to increase the level of marketing and business development activity we do directly with them establishing a stronger symbiotic relationship.
The objective is to organise targeted healthcare events with our intermediaries, in order to further build our VWV Healthcare profile and expertise within the sector in specific regions with former and prospective clients. These forums are a good opportunity to meet, network and share best practice in relation to the range of issues that affect practices and how we can be of assistance.
We are in the process of organising joint seminars later this year, and we would be delighted to see you there.
Since the merger, we now have a combined team of over 30 dedicated and experienced healthcare lawyers with an array of legal knowledge who are prepared to happily assist practices.
Recently, Chambers UK awarded VWV’s Healthcare team the highest ranking - Band 1 with five out of seven ranked lawyers in this section from VWV. These are leading sector specialists Ben Willis, Ros Parkin, Oliver Pool, Paul Werrell and myself who are all ranked in the top tier.
We have invested a great deal of time understanding the nature of the sector and the complex issues that a Healthcare practice can face on a day-to-day basis. This knowledge and understanding puts the team in a strong position to help guide healthcare professionals to arrive at sensible, workable solutions which strengthen the overall practice, champion strengths, and address any weaknesses, as well as to provide a full range of legal support.
I hope, one day, to be accepted as an honorary Yorkshire man!