Sarah Woods

Sarah specialises in advising the NHS and independent sector on healthcare regulatory matters.

She has over 10 years’ experience advising clients across the health and social care sector. Her key clients include NHS Trusts (providing both acute and mental health care), independent sector providers and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Sarah specialises in advising both commissioners and providers on mental health and mental capacity issues and on the difficulties arising at the interface between the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and the law regarding deprivation of liberty. She regularly assists clients in relation to serious incidents, governance and patient care issues, including appearing in the Court of Protection on behalf of clients involved in medical treatment and welfare disputes.

Sarah has considerable experience in appearing on behalf of clients in Coroners' Inquests, most frequently appearing in multi-party jury inquests and cases where complex patient risk management issues are at play. Sarah also plays a major role in the delivery of our regulatory due diligence work, having been involved in a number of significant M&A transactions in both the NHS and independent healthcare sectors.

Sarah is an established trainer and regularly delivers training to clients and healthcare professionals on the legal aspects of clinical practice.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• An acute Trust in urgent Court of Protection proceedings concerning a pregnant woman detained under the Mental Health Act who required a caesarean section delivery under restraint.
• An independent sector provider at a jury inquest following the death of patient detained under the Mental Health Act who died having self-harmed between 5 minute observations.
• A mental health provider at a First-tier Tribunal hearing for a patient whose case had attracted significant media interest.
• A number of NHS and independent sector providers on regulatory due diligence matters relating to proposed acquisitions/re-financing arrangements.