SCIL appoints first female chair

Sharon Allison from Ashtons Legal has been appointed as the first female chair of The Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL).

Allison, who previously held the role of vice chair and took up her new role this month, is head of medical negligence at Ashtons Legal.

She sits on the management board at Ashtons Legal and is also a fellow with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and a member on the esteemed specialist panel for AvMA (Action Against Medical Accidents).

As chair, Allison will oversee a society of 75 members that drives changes and clarity on a range of issues relevant to practitioners and firms that work in the field of clinical negligence.

Recent successes for the society include making the process easier for obtaining records of deceased patients, drafting the COVID-19 Clinical Negligence Protocol, which led to more than £30 million in costs savings to the NHS, and challenging the government on its fixed recoverable costs proposals.

One ongoing issue for Allison and SCIL is the experience of marginalised groups, including women, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), and LGBTQ+, especially trans, people, in the health sector.

A particular issue previously highlighted in the media is that black women are four times more likely to die in pregnancy rather than white women in the UK. SCIL recognises and is determined to be a voice for these minority and vulnerable groups.

SCIL also organises an annual conference for members that, in her new role, Allison will lead and deliver along with the executive team.

Commenting on her appointment as chair, Allison said: “I’m very proud to have been elected as SCIL’s first female chair. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by incredible specialists in their field who have a wealth of knowledge and experience which makes SCIL the ‘go to’ organisation for claimant clinical injury lawyers.”

She continued: “Many lawyers follow a very traditional route into law, whereas mine has been quite different as I did not have any legal qualifications when I joined Ashtons almost 23 years ago.

“I was given the opportunity to learn and qualify as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives whilst working. As such, I was able to absorb and focus my efforts on doing the best I could for my clients.

“This enriching experience has given me a deep and longstanding passion for access to justice and fighting for better patient safety, and this is a passion I share with my SCIL colleagues.

“As is evident throughout our practice at Ashtons, marginalised groups are less likely to receive the care they deserve, and I am looking forward to continuing our focus to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalised demographics in our society are not adversely impacted by government reforms.

“My voice in our annual conference, and throughout each year going forward, will bring forth an approach helping everyone to get the healthcare they deserve. I am delighted that the SCIL have faith in me to chair the organisation through some challenging times ahead.”

Image: Ashton Legal

Mark Dugdale