Specialisms
- Orthopaedic injuries including multiple trauma.
- Lower limb amputations and limb weakness.
- Joint replacements (hip and knee) and conditions affecting the joints (arthritis).
- Neurological conditions (including stroke, MS, MND and Parkinson’s).
- Brachial Plexus.
- Cancer.
- Terminal illness and palliative care.
- Associated internal injuries, including bladder, bowel and stoma care.
- Associated psychological, mental health and cognitive difficulties.
- Loss of Services for Fatal Accident claims.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at September 2023, I am engaged in the role of Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for an average of 130 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
In her role as the head of a team of OTs within a community rehabilitation unit, Louise sees adults with a variety of complex injuries. She is responsible for managing the rehabilitation of clients who have suffered from multiple traumas, acute illness, post-surgical complications, and work-related injuries. Initial rehabilitation is carried out within the residential unit, with the ultimate goal of returning each individual home with the appropriate level of support and equipment/adaptations. Louise has specific experience in dealing with significant orthopaedic injuries including multiple fractures and lower limb amputations. Louise also deals with numerous terminal illness cases requiring palliative care such as end stage Parkinson’s, dementia and cancer. Brachial plexus injuries are also often seen, as well as hip and knee replacements. Many of Louise’s rehab clients will also be suffering with associated mental health conditions and neurological impairments.
Employment Profile
Louise manages a team of Occupational Therapists in a community rehab unit based in Cornwall. She provides in-reach and out-reach rehabilitation to patients with a variety of needs. Louise’s team manages the rehabilitation of people following multiple trauma, acute illness, post-surgical complications, neuro disabilities, and terminal illnesses. Louise completes full cognitive, neuro, capacity, environmental, home, and manual handling assessments both within her rehab unit and in the patient’s home in order to maximise her client’s independence. Louise will then devise a structured rehab programme that takes into account both short and long term needs.
Louise will formulate the client’s care package, and work with social care teams to ensure it is correctly and safely administered. Louise will also recommend aids and equipment, as well as housing adaptations if required to help the client maintain an independent lifestyle. Louise and her team will then conduct regular follow up assessments if required. Patients can often re-present back to Louise’s rehab unit over periods of time, for further treatment and reassessment.
In Louise’s current role, she has had increased experience of working with clients in both acute and terminal stages of cancer. Louise provides holistic assessments within the home, provide equipment and work with the clients’ function and deteriorating ability. Louise works closely with the wider MDT and family in order to ensure continuity of care.
Prior to her current role, Louise worked for many years as a statutory services OT in London completing complex care plans, rehabilitation programmes, manual handling and home discharge plans as a senior Band 7 OT.
Louise’s clinical experience and specialist knowledge gives her a compassionate and empathic approach to writing Loss of Services reports detailing the past services provided by the deceased to their dependants and those they would have provided in the future.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc Hons Occupational Therapy 2:1 (London Southbank University, 2014).
- British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT).
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered.
- NVQ Level 3 and 4 Health and Social Care.
- NVQ Level 4 Therapies and Diagnostics.
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2019-Present
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2008 – 2019
Band 4, 5, 6, 7 Occupational Therapist
Central and Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust