International law firm Gowling WLG's Health and Care team has advised client Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GST) in the strategic procurement of a ground-breaking public-private partnership to become an International Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence (CoE).
The deal with multinational firm Johnson & Johnson, completed for an undisclosed fee, will allow for thousands more GST patients to be treated every year, increasing the number of adult elective orthopaedic patients from around 7,000 to 11,500 over the duration of the partnership.
The two-phased advisory brings together two complex arrangements under single contract.
Phase one activity focuses on improving efficiency and delivering savings in the procurement of prosthetics, surgical instruments and other orthopaedic surgery consumables as part of a managed service agreement (MSA).
Meanwhile, the second phase governs the design and build of the hospital's new multimillion pound theatre facilities, to be in place by the end of 2020, and the delivery of a 15-year bespoke managed service at GST's existing orthopaedic theatres, the modular theatre and the CoE.
The Gowling WLG team, led by Health and Care partner Robert Breedon assisted by consultant Bleddyn Rees on the cross-border partnership, has been shortlisted for the advisory in the Legal Advisors of the Year - Transactional (Public) category in the forthcoming HealthInvestor 2018 awards in June.
Health and Care team principal associate Alexi Markham, commercial associate Sarah Higgins, Construction team director Mark Stephenson and associate Ashely Yarwood assisted on the deal, which will deliver world class care for patients.
The £1.4 billion income GST provides a full range of services for central London communities as well as specialist services for patients across the UK, including cancer, cardiac, kidney, women's and orthopaedic services, and is home to the Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Commenting on the role played by the Gowling WLG Health and Care team, GST Deputy Director, Commercial Directorate Neil Wright, said: "For the joint venture project between Guy's and St Thomas' and Johnson & Johnson, Gowling WLG provided an excellent service. What made the difference during the production of this innovative and unique contract was they listened to us as the client, they reflected back to us to ensure clarity, diligently represented us and, for the duration, ensured they reflected the essence and intent of the nature of the developing relationship between the respective parties."
Gowling WLG's Health and Care team (Tier 2 Legal 500) has a strong reputation in the healthcare space, giving clients a comprehensive healthcare offering. The team brings together experts in commissioning, outsourcing, corporate M&A, capital markets, regulatory, data protection, commercial, IP, employment, banking and procurement law, focussing on areas of public and private sector healthcare, competition, and digital health.