Specialisms
- Complex orthopaedic injuries including multiple trauma.
- Joint replacement surgery (mainly hips, knees and shoulders).
- Upper and lower limb amputations.
- Fractures in older patients.
- Spinal injuries (without cord involvement, such as spinal fractures, disc compressions, lesions).
- Cauda Equina.
- Hand injuries.
- Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND).
- Chronic pain.
- Cancer.
- Associated internal injuries.
- Associated visual or hearing loss.
- Associated mental health or cognitive impairment.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at December 2024, I am engaged in the role of Occupational Therapist for Circle Health Group for an average of 97.5 hours per month. I also work as Occupational Therapist for NHS Professionals for an average of 4 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Helen commonly manages the ongoing assessment, support and equipment needs of those with orthopaedic conditions, mainly elective surgeries (both pre and post operatively), as well as injuries resulting from trauma. The cohort of individuals she frequently deals with have issues with joints, either following orthopaedic surgery, joint replacement or due to arthritis. This will often result in limb weakness and/or chronic pain. Helen also manages clients following major trauma, general surgery and complex medical conditions where an individual’s needs can be complex and long term. Helen is responsible for managing their ongoing needs, both physical and psychological, and will work with individuals across a wide age range.
Helen often works with patients who have upper or lower limb amputations. In the initial stages, she focuses on helping patients regain functional independence, planning their discharges home from hospital assessing equipment, housing, and care needs during the acute phase of recovery.
Helen deals with chronic pain patients on a regular basis, in particular those who have suffered fractures or post operative complications, and are dealing with the long-term effects of this on their long-term function. She also works closely with the pain team who work with patients throughout their recovery.
Helen regularly supports patients with a range of co-morbidities and pre-existing diagnoses including FND, cancer, internal injuries and cognitive impairment.
Employment Profile
Helen is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist and has spent the vast majority of her career specialising in the area of Trauma and Orthopaedics. Since 2002 she has worked as Clinical Lead, supervising teams of occupational therapists and support staff across a number of wards, including; elective surgery, trauma, general medicine/surgery and oncology. Her teams are involved in carrying out functional activities of daily living assessments for timely discharges, providing equipment and advice, recommending care needs, liaising with outside agencies and working towards maximising independence. Since 2022 Helen has continued with this role but within a private hospital.
Helen is responsible for the careful planning of each patient’s safe and successful discharge home and closely advises and liaises with the intermediate care team or the community care team about the individual’s longer term care needs.
She also manages a service to out-patients within pre-op assessment clinics and over the telephone, for patients undergoing total hip replacement as well as overseeing some hand therapy and splinting.
In addition to her management and supervisory duties, Helen always carries her own complex clinical caseload which is largely driven by the demands of each individual ward. Helen has additional responsibilities that include; Moving and Handling Key Trainer, and Co-ordinator for Inpatient Therapies and Clinical Practice Facilitator for Occupational Therapy.
Helen is an APPLE accredited Fieldwork Educator (educating students from Salford, Sheffield, York, Liverpool and Lancaster Universities).
Helen has worked as a Care Expert Witness with Jacqueline Webb & Co since 2016. She has participated in numerous case conferences and expert meetings, and has given evidence in Court in 2022.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) OT, St Loyes School of Occupational Therapy, Exeter University (1996).
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT).
- Royal College of Occupational Therapy Specialist Section – Trauma and Musculoskeletal Health.
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2022-Present
Lead OT, Circle Health Group
Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle
2002-2022
Lead OT, Trauma and Orthopaedics
Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
2001-2002
Senior II OT, Trauma and Orthopaedics
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
1999-2001
Locum Occupational Therapist
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Royal Bolton Hospital, Whitby Hospital, Stepping Hill Hospital
1998-1999
Senior II OT (rotation)
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Central Manchester NHS Trust
1996-1998
Basic Grade OT (rotation)
Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham