HCPC Registered

British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)

CMSUK

Advanced BABICM

BHSc (Hons), SROT, Occupational Therapy, 2000, York University

I gained my BHSc (Hons), SROT, Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2000, from York University. I am a member of BAOT, HCPC, CMSUK and Advanced BABICM member. I worked with children with a wide range of Neurological, Orthopaedic, and Hand Injuries at Sheffield Children's Hospital for 12 years.

I have also worked privately with Adults and Children for the past 15 years in the community. This has covered a wide spectrum of disabilities including hemiplegia, acquired brain injuries, amputees, complex trauma, autism and cerebral palsy. I have experience of working in hospitals, homes and schools.

I am a Medico Legal Expert Witness, providing reports for both adults and children. I receive instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. I have undergone training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.

I started my career in Durham, working with adults with orthopaedic, surgical and neurological conditions before going on to specialise in Paediatrics at the Sheffield Children's Hospital. In this role I worked with children and their families to facilitate complex discharges.

I have specialised further into the areas of Neuro Rehabilitation and Hand/Orthopaedic Injuries. I have provided assessments, treatment planning, goal setting and treatment implementation for numerous complex cases. I have expert splinting and casting skills and excellent knowledge of bespoke therapy programmes, seating, aids, equipment and adaptations. I run my own private OT practice.

I have worked as an Advanced Case Manager for over 15 years, with adults and children with complex orthopaedic and acquired brain injuries. I balance this with my medico legal and private treatment work.

I have extensive experience working with children and adults with acquired brain injuries. I set up care and therapy packages and supervise large care teams. I work with complex care packages that have both private and statutory funding and have experience of Personal Health Budgets.

I have a special interest in finding and adapting homes for clients with additional needs and have carried out further training in this area. I have expertise of reading plans and designing accessible bathrooms and kitchens.

Expertise:

·       Assessing for equipment and adaptations in homes and schools

·       Assessing for seating and wheelchairs

·       Expert in splinting/casting orthopaedic and neurological injuries

·       Working with children and adults with acquired brain injury, orthopaedic, complex trauma and hand injuries

·       Devising treatment / play / sensory / handwriting and fine motor programme

·       Goal setting and coordinating treatment packages

·       Experience of working with children and adults in a minimally conscious state

·       Facilitating transitions, for example: hospital to home; primary to secondary school

·       Accessing funding through private and statutory avenues

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