Reforming the delivery of health expert evidence

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The pilot
Progress
For more information

The pilot

In summer 2008, we invited NHS Trusts and other public, private or voluntary organisations to apply to take part in setting up a pilot. This project sees multi-disciplinary teams providing jointly instructed health expert witness services to family courts in Public Law Childcare Proceedings.

The pilot will determine whether these arrangements will ensure:

A sustainable supply of quality-assured, competent medical expert witnesses who can apply their work knowledgeably and responsively in the context of court processes;
That medical expertise is tailored and prepared for the particular culture of the family court (public law) jurisdiction with its aim of using a largely inquisitorial system;
An organisation framework within the NHS [and other organisations] with clear accountability for medical expert witnesses and which therefore moves away from the current reliance on medical expert witnesses who are acting in a private capacity.

It is expected that this approach to procuring expert witness services has these benefits:

easier for health professionals to get engaged as health expert witnesses
sustainable increase in the supply of quality-assured expert witnesses
easier and quicker for solicitors and clients to access health expert witnesses
fewer delays in the provision of expert reports for the benefit of the child
improved quality-assurance through peer review and multi-disciplinary input
best use of public funds.

The pilot will test the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary teams of health experts in providing expert witness services and the effectiveness of directly commissioning from NHS Trusts and other organisations. The pilot will be able to explore different models of provision and will evolve and be iterative. The pilot contracts will last for one year, however all work started as part of the pilot will be completed as part of the pilot.

During and after the pilot we will evaluate whether these arrangements achieve the goals set out in the CMO’s report Bearing Good Witness: reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases and meet the requirements of the LSC as prospective commissioner. The effectiveness of any directly commissioned expert witness services will be measured on their ability to deliver high quality, timely and cost effective expert advice.

Progress

As a result of the application process we carried out in summer 2008, we have invited several organisations to enter into discussions to move the pilot fowards. Details about the teams and how the pilot will work will be made available on this website as contracts are signed.

For more information

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Emily Paddy.

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Last updated: 22 December 2008