Field Fisher Waterhouse advises on the spin outs of the provider arms of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT and Bristol PC

Fieldfisher advises on the spin outs of the provider arms of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT and Bristol PCT

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised on the transfer of healthcare provider businesses from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Bristol Primary Care Trust (PCT) to employee led social enterprises.  These businesses have been transferred from Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT to Peninsula Community Health CIC and from Bristol PCT to Bristol Community Health CIC, both community interest companies.

These projects saw over 3,600 employees transferred and are examples of the transformation under the Department of Health’s ‘Right to Request’ programme which gives NHS staff the opportunity to set up social enterprises.  Employee led community interest companies allow employees greater control over the direction of health services and any profits made will be reinvested into staff, the local community and service development.
Fieldfisher advised Peninsula Community Health CIC and Bristol Community Health CIC on the employee-owned business structures, the constitution of the new businesses, the transfer of staff and assets, key service contracts and on property law issues.

The firm is a leader in the field of employee ownership and has advised on a number of employee led spin-outs in the NHS.  These include a spin out from NHS Hull to City Health Care Partnership CIC and the spin out of the community dental services provided by NHS Bedfordshire to Community Dental Services CIC. 
Fieldfisher corporate partner Neil Palmer led on the project, assisted by Employment partners, James Warren and David Gallagher, Employee Share Ownership specialist Graeme Nuttall and Real Estate partner Ramatu Banga.

Neil Palmer said:

“We are proud of our involvement in these deals. They allow experienced employees the opportunity to take ownership of the delivery and development of health services.  As a result of this freedom we are likely to see improved quality and efficiency.  We hope to see the success of these social enterprise spin-outs in the NHS  extended into the wider public sector as the Government’s mutuals programme takes off.” 

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust and Bristol Primary Care Trust were both  advised by Bevan Brittan.

For further press information please contact:

Louise Eckersley, PR Manager, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on +44 (0)20 7861 4120