Know Your Healthcare Advisor - Rachel Crean
Rachel Crean is a Partner in our Healthcare Commercial Litigation team, based at our London office.
Rachel has over ten years' experience of healthcare litigation. She was previously the Head of Litigation at Lockharts Solicitors, prior to the merger with VWV. Her work includes partnership and commercial disputes, regulatory matters and judicial review.
What Does Your Role Involve on a Day to Day Basis?
A significant proportion of my work involves advising clients in relation to partnership disputes. I have dealt with over 30 such disputes. These have been resolved through a mixture of negotiation, mediation, arbitration and court proceedings.
I regularly advise healthcare providers regarding contract disputes (often against NHS England and Clinical Commissioning Groups). Depending on the contractual arrangements, such disputes can be escalated to court, the Family Health Service Appeal Unit (FHSAU) - a specialist NHS adjudicator, or to expert determination.
I also support clients in relation to regulatory matters, for example, defence of fitness to practise proceedings (including GMC, NMC, GDC and GCC), performers list proceedings and action taken by the CQC. The latter includes challenging negative findings and proposed enforcement action following a CQC inspection.
What Do You Do as Part of the Healthcare team at VWV?
I work closely with colleagues in the Commercial Contracts, Regulatory and Property Teams to deliver a comprehensive and joined up service to clients.
I am a member of the Association of Partnership Practitioners and the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers.
Tell Us Something Not Many People Know About You?
I was introduced to the concept of GP partnership disputes, and the benefits and frustrations of contracting with the NHS, at a very young age - my parents were both GPs.