Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Group Head of Legal to work across the two statutory organisations of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust and Shropshire Community providing expert legal advice.

The successful applicant will require excellent time management, prioritisation, professionalism and pragmatism, with the ability to clearly communicate highly contentious, highly complex and highly sensitive information in a demanding and emotive patient-focussed environment. 

As well as managing clinical negligence claims and inquests, the post holder will be in a leadership role, managing staff in the Legal Services Department, providing practical legal advice to staff and management and delivering training/presentations to clinicians. The post holder is also likely to have a leading role in preparing the trust for other relevant judicial processes including court of protection.

This is a challenging role in a new broadened group portfolio managing a busy department but also providing and facilitating expert legal advice across the two statutory organisations of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust and Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of the Group Model across the two statutory organisations of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust and Shropshire Community and with other partner organisations:

• To undertake investigation of clinical and non-clinical claims
• To attend Court and Coroner’s Court and to provide advocacy on behalf of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust (SaTH) and Shropshire Community (ShropCom).
• To ensure consistent management and professional leadership of SaTH’s Legal Services Department.  This will include supervision and day-to-day line management of the Legal Services Team.
• To provide advice and training to clinical staff and other staff on specialist litigation issues and attending inquests and other judicial process meetings and hearings.
• The post holder will be expected to work with all levels of medical, nursing and managerial staff and be confident at delivering highly complex and sensitive information in pressurised situations. 

Working for your organisation

Our Poppy’s Promise Commitment

We believe that compassionate care sits at the heart of everything we do. Every member of our team —  clinical or non-clinical — plays a vital role in ensuring that patients, families, and colleagues are treated with dignity, empathy, and respect at all times.

We expect all staff to demonstrate compassion not only through their words, but through their actions: by listening attentively, communicating clearly and kindly, and recognising  individual needs, feelings, and circumstances of those in our care.

Effective communication is central to safe and high-quality healthcare. We value colleagues who take the time to understand others, explain information in a  meaningful way, and respond to concerns with patience and understanding.

By joining our team, you are committing to uphold these values — ensuring that every patient feels heard, respected, and valued, and that compassion is embedded in every interaction, every day.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.