Law firm helps deliver PFI deal
Jul 30 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal
LAW firm Dickinson Dees has built on its growing portfolio of Private Finance Initiative work by helping deliver a new Primary Care Hospital and health centre for Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust.
The £40m PFI deal will amalgamate existing GP and hospital healthcare in a top of the range community hospital to provide best of breed services for the borough’s 140,000 residents.
Newcastle’s Dickinson Dees was appointed at an early stage of the procurement process, which enabled the team to advise the Trust on its Outline Business Case and the procurement documentation.
The PFI deal was also one of the first deals in the UK which had to provide an Approval Business Case (ABC) at preferred bidder stage – adding an extra element to the procurement process.
The firm’s eight-strong team was led by partner and NHS PFI expert, Tim Care and involved experts from its planning, property, construction and projects teams. Tim has previously been involved in groundbreaking procurement work in the NHS, such as the UK’s first batch scheme procurement deal for two North West NHS Trusts.
The new-build is expected to be completed over the next 18 months by a consortium involving Sir Robert McAlpine and Ryhurst Limited represented by law firm, Trowers and Hamlins.
Dickinson Dees partner Tim Care said: “Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust’s PFI scheme will provide modern and practical healthcare services in the region. Our early appointment to the scheme means the Trust has been able to work in partnership with us to ensure procurement best practice from start to finish.”
Mark Adams of Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust said: “Dickinson Dees has a national reputation for excellence in PFI schemes and the breadth of expertise to be able to deal with all the issues that arose during the project.
“The team has been able to provide expert and in-depth advice at every step of the process, including recommendations for the ABC. Our close working relationship has ensured a smooth and efficient procurement process in which all stakeholders feel confident their key issues have been addressed.”
