Sintons advises NHS hospital trusts on the full range of legal issues arising from the Mental Capacity Act, serious medical treatment and the jurisdiction of the Court of Protection and High Court. Our work is grounded in a close understanding of how treatment decisions are made in acute, community and specialist hospitals, and of the pressures clinicians face when treatment options are complex, outcomes uncertain or families are in distress.

We support Trusts from the earliest stages of a case, helping clinical and safeguarding teams understand the legal framework that applies and how it interacts with the patient’s clinical needs. Much of our work involves situations where decisions must be made in real time, sometimes with deteriorating clinical pictures or competing views from those close to the patient. Our role is to provide clear, practical guidance that enables safe and lawful decision-making.

For matters requiring judicial oversight, we prepare structured evidence that reflects the realities of clinical practice and the reasoning behind the Trust’s position. Our team is experienced in applications that must be made urgently or out of hours, and we work closely with on-call teams to ensure the Court has the information it needs at the earliest opportunity.

If you require any further information, one of our team of healthcare specialist lawyers would be pleased to talk through your requirements and answer any questions. Please contact us at any time.