Welcome to our latest healthcare, digital health and life sciences bulletin, which addresses key legal and regulatory issues and evolving areas of law affecting healthcare, digital health and/or life sciences businesses. This quarter we:
The government's NHS Fit for the Future 10-Year Health Plan aims to shift services from hospital to community settings, to ease the pressure on hospitals and make primary care more accessible at community level. Our article outlines the Neighbourhood Health Service and neighbourhood contracts introduced by the plan and their impact on general practice and primary care networks.
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues to actively pursue enforcement against health and social care providers who fall short of regulatory standards. This article explores the CQC’s enforcement powers, recent prosecution trends and cases, potential changes on the horizon to enforcement and the resulting implications of this for providers of health and social care services.
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The MHRA has set out proposals to modernise the Great Britain medical devices regime. In this article we set out the proposed changes, how these could affect Great Britain manufacturers and providers, and advise practical next steps for businesses in the healthcare sector.
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The UK government has announced the development of an AI-enabled early-warning system to identify emerging patient-safety concerns across the NHS in near real time. In this article we outline how the early-warning system will operate, what this means for healthcare providers and advise how organisations can start to prepare.
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If enacted, the Assisted Dying Bill will create a legal framework allowing terminally ill adults in England and Wales, who meet strict eligibility criteria, to request and receive assistance to end their own life.
In this article we summarise the current legal framework proposed, highlight concerns over mental capacity and oversight and outline areas in which some believe further clarification is needed.
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The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill proposes banning upwards-only rent reviews in new and renewed commercial leases under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This could significantly affect rental income, valuations, and lease negotiations for healthcare landlords. Our article provides a definition of upwards-only rent reviews and explains what the ban could mean for property owners in the sector.
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Inquests and public inquiries are key to addressing institutional failings and restoring public confidence in the UK. Central to this is the proposed Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025, or the 'Hillsborough Law'. This article explores how the bill could transform public accountability.
Public healthcare bodies must embed openness and candour into their culture and practices. Private providers and contractors must also prepare as the duty of candour will apply to any organisation, with relevant public responsibilities, involved in an incident.
Significant employment law changes are coming, including 'day 1' unfair dismissal rights. This article outlines the timeline for the proposed reforms by the Employment Rights Bill and the key steps for employers. We recommend that all NHS trusts review their industrial action policies in light of expected changes to minimum service level laws, and ensure a BMA agreement is in place for recalling doctors during emergency strike situations.
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Ashfords partner Deborah Rowntree will take part in HealthInvestor UK's Healthcare Summit 2025 as a panellist in the CFO stream session 'Raising finance in a volatile economic environment'. Ashfords is also a work stream sponsor at the Healthcare Summit, which takes place at the Business Design Centre in London on 16 October 2025.
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Jocelyn Ormond
Partner and Head of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Sector
+44 (0)7872677082 j.ormond@ashfords.co.uk View more
