National law firm Morgan Cole has won a strongly contested tender to provide legal advice and training to NHS Berkshire West for a minimum of three years.

The firm was appointed to provide a range of legal services to the Primary Care Trust in conjunction with national law firm Bevan Brittan, following a rigorous tender exercise.

The appointment has been the result of a strategic focus of the firm to develop its health & social care expertise in the Thames Valley, capitalising on its work throughout England with the Department of Health, Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and providers of healthcare services, and for the NHS in Wales.

NHS Berkshire West provides health services in the community, at home and in hospitals to a population of over 500,000. It has 55 GP surgeries, 68 NHS dental practices, 67 pharmacies and 42 opticians, an annual budget of £625m.

Steph Bennett, Head of Corporate Affairs at NHS Berkshire West commented: "The Morgan Cole team demonstrated that it can deliver value for money, but more importantly, provide us with the support we need to ensure that we meet our key objectives which include becoming a World Class Commissioning Primary Care Trust."

Gayle Curry, Partner from Morgan Cole says: "We are delighted to have been appointed to this key Primary Care Trust and look forward to working with Steph and her team."