From the providers of services to those that commission them and from the developers building tomorrow’s hospitals, retirement villages and care homes, to the investors supporting the future of health and social care. We help organisations and businesses navigate this vital sector.
The Health & Social Care sector faces multiple challenges. Demand for services is increasing, fuelled by a growing population living with long-term conditions. A shortfall in funding and budget cuts mean resources are rationed and finding new ways to develop and deliver health infrastructure and services is a priority. We have a multidisciplinary team that covers all aspects of healthcare work from major infrastructure projects, acquisitions, investments to regulatory matters and disputes.
Investors are entering the Health & Social Care sector searching for opportunities whether it be to fund real estate healthcare construction or innovative businesses developing new technologies focused on efficient and effective patient outcomes. We partner with our clients to execute their investment strategies.
We often advise developers building tomorrow’s hospitals, retirement villages, supported housing and care homes (for both older people and those with disabilities) – combining our leading real estate experience with in-depth Health & Social Care know how.
Our clients who are service providers range from NHS trusts and private care homes to those delivering high-end clinical services and supporting everyday community-based living. We also advise local authorities and NHS trusts commissioning services, helping them to identify and manage their supply chain and identifying their best options.
For all of our clients – public and private sector - we are a trusted guide, helping them to identify issues and opportunities from every perspective. We use our expertise to start conversations, stimulate innovation and bring together organisations to provide a holistic approach. Given the massive sector drive for sector efficiency and integration we are able to combine our understanding of the private sector and its investment rationale and strategy with our knowledge of public sector institutions, their structures, governance and management in order to make this happen. Expert in due diligence in a highly regulated industry – we are leading the debate and helping clients understand, comply and challenge conventions.
Working across public and private sectors with a holistic approach
Helping new ideas and new sources of funding to enter the Health & Social Care sector
Experts in Real Estate – working with investors and developers building tomorrows health infrastructure
Partnering with providers to deliver vital services and meet obligations
Sector experts with comprehensive legal expertise on tap
Health and social care
Our specialist children's services team advises investors, independent providers, commissioners and local authorities operating in a highly regulated sector. Our expertise spans growth, acquisitions, governance, compliance and service transformation, while focusing on delivering practical advice informed by extensive experience.
Childrens servicesOur specialist health and social care team advises providers, investors and public sector organisations on navigating complex regulatory frameworks, including CQC and Ofsted compliance. We support clients with a range of regulatory challenges, public law and human rights matters, complaints and investigations.
CQC and regulatoryThe domiciliary care sector faces ongoing financial and operational pressures, making specialist legal support essential. Our team advises providers, investors and for- and not-for-profit organisations on adverse incident avoidance, mergers, acquisitions, regulatory compliance, contracts, employment matters and risk management.
Domiciliary careWhile the care home sector is long established, it is heavily regulated. Our specialists provide expert legal advice to care home operators, investors and developers across the elderly care sector. The team supports clients with acquisitions and investments, care home development projects, regulatory compliance, governance, employment matters, real estate transactions and risk management.
Elderly careOur team advises organisations across the mental health and learning disabilities sector on the legal, regulatory and commercial challenges arising from an increasingly scrutinised operating environment. Combining deep sector expertise with an understanding of evolving political and regulatory priorities, the team helps clients deliver safe, effective and compliant services while achieving their business objectives.
Mental health and learning disabilitiesOur health and social care lawyers provide specialist legal support to NHS bodies, healthcare providers and voluntary organisations operating across the health sector. With our deep knowledge of NHS laws and legislation, policy and regulation combined with commercial expertise, we advise on areas that support the effective delivery of patient care across all types of NHS real estate and construction.
NHSOur health and social care team provides legal and strategic advice on development, investment, operational structures and regulatory issues. We advise investors, developers, operators and public sector bodies across the retirement living, extra care and retirement village sectors.
RetirementWith a strong understanding of CQC regulation and wider legal frameworks, our team advises investors, housing providers, care organisations and public sector bodies across the supported and sheltered housing sector. We have expertise in health and social care, real estate, social housing and local government, and provide end-to-end legal support on buying and building new facilities and care services management and operation.
Supported and sheltered housingPublic sector organisations and commissioners
We advise bodies including NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts, Integrated Care Systems and local authorities on the legal, regulatory and governance challenges facing health and social care services. Our team supports organisations delivering, commissioning and transforming services in complex, highly regulated environments.
Providers, investors and sector businesses
We work with private healthcare providers, care home operators, retirement living organisations, supported housing providers, fertility clinics and health-tech businesses. We also advise investors, developers, funders, REITs and healthcare real estate partners on acquisitions, growth, regulatory compliance and operational matters across the health and social care sector.
Our health and social care team offers specialist legal expertise backed by an international law firm with over 170 partners. We deliver practical, commercially focused advice across private and public sector organisations across the UK and beyond.
With extensive experience across healthcare, social care and related regulated sectors, we understand the operational, governance and regulatory challenges organisations face.
We work collaboratively with specialists from across our firm, providing seamless legal support. Leading legal directories, including Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, consistently recognise our expertise.
Our testimonials
"Trowers & Hamlins has excellent knowledge of the social care sector, which means it is able to provide detailed advice on complex matters." Healthcare: Private Sector respondent, UK
"The team handles complex and novel areas of law with authority, flexibility to client needs and great strategic thinking." Healthcare: Private Sector respondent, UK
Our health and social care lawyers advise NHS executives and estate directors, private healthcare leadership teams, local authorities and commissioners, and many more relevant people and organisations. Please get in touch to speak with our health and social care team about the challenges you're facing and find out how we can help.
Yes. We advise on all aspects of Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulation, including registration applications, inspections, challenging enforcement action, compliance issues and governance frameworks.
Yes, we guide clients through every stage of the transaction process. We advise investors, providers and commissioners on mergers, acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and strategic investments across the health and social care sector.
The retirement living sector is affected by significant regulatory changes in areas such as leasehold reform, employment law, consumer rights and property management. These can have consequences, including financial penalties or reputational damage, for retirement sector investors, developers and operators.
Our health and social care law solicitors help clients navigate changing legal requirements while supporting the successful delivery and operation of retirement communities.
Health-tech and fertility organisations have grown rapidly in recent years and often face complex legal questions relating to data protection, artificial intelligence, innovation, regulation and patient confidentiality. As technology continues to transform healthcare services, organisations must balance innovation with compliance and risk management. We advise businesses on regulatory frameworks and ensure legal obligations are fulfilled throughout the lifecycle of their operations.
Yes. We advise developers, investors, NHS organisations, care providers and public sector bodies on healthcare estate development, redevelopment and rationalisation projects. Our multidisciplinary team supports across planning, construction, real estate, funding, procurement and operational matters to help deliver projects that meet current and future service needs.
Health and social care
Knowledge Hub
The recent convictions arising from procurement activity within the Scottish NHS provide a stark reminder that procurement fraud remains a significant risk across the public sector. In June 2025, four individuals, including NHS officials and supplier representatives, were sentenced following convictions for bribery, corruption and fraud offences connected to telecommunications contracts worth approximately £6 million. Prosecutors described a scheme in which public officials received benefits including cash, holidays and entertainment in exchange for procurement advantages.
International law firm Trowers & Hamlins has advised North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) on a new transaction, which will allow the historic St Pancras Hospital site to be sold and developed.
Birmingham 10 Years - A conversation with Edward's Trust