Almost every day there is a call in the media for a public inquiry and over the last few years, public inquiries following human tragedy have become part of the fabric of our public life, but do they do any good?
About Ann Alexander
Ann Alexander is a solicitor who has used her communication skills through the media to develop one of the UK's best-known clinical negligence firms, Alexander Harris. Ann, who was described as a 'distinguished practitioner in the field' (Chambers 2007), merged her firm with Irwin Mitchell, the fourth largest law firm in the country, in May 2006.
Alexander Harris grew in 17 years from a two-partner practice to a firm employing 170 staff with 80 fee earners. During that time Ann became a regular contributor and informed commentator on a wide range of radio and TV programmes. These included BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, You and Yours, PM, World at One, Law in Action, Woman's Hour, News Night and many others.
One of the first lawyers to specialise in clinical negligence, Ann's ground-breaking results on behalf of clients, led to change in patient services. She has been involved in many high profile cases representing the families of children killed by nurse Beverly Allit and over 200 families whose relatives were murdered by Harold Shipman, the serial killer employed as a local GP. Ann also represented the most seriously injured victims in the 'Elephant Man' clinical trials at Northwick Park Hospital.
Ann has been a tireless campaigner for justice and has successfully challenged the Government and NHS in the courts. One of her notable successes was in overturning the Secretary of State for Health's decision to hold the Shipman Inquiry in private.
Ann is now one half of the media and communications training consultancy Alexander Macdonald (http://www.alexandermacdonald.co.uk/) and sits on the boards of a number of national charities including the Patients Association and Action against Medical Accidents. Ann continues to broadcast regularly featuring on BBC Radio Manchester and City Talk in Liverpool.
On the rare occasions she isn't working she loves all things Italian, tennis and when she has time, learning to play golf!
Contact Ann at annalexander@publicinquiries.org.
