Kate Blacklidge
Senior Associate
Manchester
Kate.Blacklidge@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)330 045 2249
Kate is a senior associate in the inquest and advisory team. She advises a variety of NHS Trusts and private healthcare organisations. She provides representation in complex and frequently high-profile inquest hearings, conducting advocacy in jurisdictions across the country.
Having previously specialised in criminal defence and inquest related matters across various sectors, including education, charities, sports, health and social care, Kate is able to apply her knowledge of wider risks and commerciality in her advice to healthcare organisations, and works closely with clients’ governance teams to obtain the best possible outcome at inquest, protect reputation, and guard against future risks.
Often dealing with very sensitive cases, and with a high media interest, Kate is adept at supporting clinicians through the evidence gathering and inquest process.
Expertise
Featured experience
Eating Disorder / Mental Health Inquest
Advising and representing a healthcare provider in an inquest concerning the physical and mental health aspects of Anorexia Nervosa, and national issues relating to the commissioning of Eating Disorder treatment. Multi-party Article 2 inquest including three NHS Trusts, the CQC, NHS England, and a CCG.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Inquest
Representing an NHS Trust in relation to the death of a baby whose father was convicted of its murder. Healthcare professionals involved were unaware of his history of a conviction for child cruelty. Article 2 inquest, involving the Council, local and Metropolitan Police, Home Office, and Ministry of Justice.
Death of Premature Baby
Representing the ambulance service and acute hospital trust in relation to the death of a premature baby who was born at home. The inquest concerned the circumstances of the mother’s discharge from hospital earlier that day, being assured that she was not in premature labour.
Teenage Mental Health Death
Representing a community mental health trust in relation to the death of a teenager with emotional dysregulation. They had made several previous suicide attempts but did not meet criteria for specialist inpatient stay and were receiving dialectical behaviour therapy when they took their own life.
Testimonials
"Thank you for providing our witnesses with reassurance, practical and emotional support… it has been an extremely difficult one. We are very pleased to have been able to work with you. You have been very professional, informative, approachable, and personable… and look forward to continuing to work with you."
"Practicable advice enthusiastically delivered."
"Thanks for all your support, Kate. You were amazing. I hope conversations or PFD to the CCG will lead to better resources and more robust commissioning for dual diagnosis; and to give patients a better service."
"Thanks very much Kate for your help with this Inquest, it’s been a pleasure working with you as always. Your liaison with [other interested parties] hugely helped us get to where we ended today."