Jan Harrison is an occupational therapist with over thirty years experience of assisting individuals with injury or illness to manage resultant disability. She has special experience in a full range of neurological conditions and has also worked in Australia and Germany. She has been preparing reports for legal purposes since 1986, assisting in establishing the needs of disabled and injured people.

From 1980 she worked at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, latterly as Lead Professional Occupational Therapy Advisor. She has a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation studies and lectures widely. She has undertaken research projects. She was for many years one of only three UK tutors of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), an internationally recognised method of ascertaining a person's level of function in daily living activities.

Past work includes:

• Chair of a working group on behalf of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) to establish OT Standards in Brain Injury
• Editor of the Case Management Society of the UK (CMSUK) Standards of Practice and The Code of Ethics, and the College of OT Medico-legal Standards.
• Development and implementation of a ‘Needs at Work’ assessment of Trustees for a National Charity (SCOPE)
• Advisory visit and report to the Falkland Islands Government to develop disability services
• Project officer for a Department of Health funded project examining models of health and community services
• Participation, on behalf of COT, in a DSS working party on the Incapacity Benefit, and a DWP working party on Early Rehabilitation
• Completion of a short report on brain injury services for the NHS Executive

She founded and was twice elected chair of the National Association of Neurological and Neuro-rehabilitation Occupational Therapists (NANOT, a specialist section of the College of Occupational Therapists) which networks throughout Britain. She initiated NANOT clinical fora for therapists working with brain injured and stroke clients. She has been a member of working parties for the MS Society, the Parkinson's Disease Society and the Royal College of Physicians National Audit on Stroke. She has been a member of the Stroke Association Research Committee. She has on many occasions represented the College of Occupational Therapists and been an elected national member of its Council. She was on the convening committee for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress 1994. She is past Chair of the OTs in Independent Practice national committee and founded and was the first chair of their Medico-legal Forum.

Harrison Associates has over 20 experienced OT associates providing litigation reports, initial needs assessments, case management, vocational rehabilitation, and consultancy. She has an active case management and expert witness caseload. She has taught courses in relation to Expert Witness work, and is a member of several Expert Witness organisations. She has appeared in court on many occasions as an expert witness. She is a recent Director of the Case Management Society of the UK. She chairs the CMSUK Standards and Education Committee.

Niccola Hain is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council who has extensive experience in case management and vocational rehabilitation in both Australia and the United Kingdom. She was awarded her occupational therapy degree in 1996 and in 2009 she was awarded a Masters degree in ‘Case Management for Health and Employment’ through the University of Brighton. Her research dissertation explored stakeholders’ views of case management services in the UK.

After graduating Niccola worked for 2˝ years in paediatric and community rehabilitation settings in rural Australia providing outreach services for clients with a range of injury and illness including orthopaedic, neurological and developmental delay. She then commenced work in the area of vocational rehabilitation and has experience in conducting functional capacity evaluations, work site assessments, return to work programmes, ergonomic assessments, job analysis and vocational case management. Niccola developed a high level of skill negotiating with employers, solicitors, insurance companies, medical practitioners and other allied health professionals. Niccola also has experience in the provision of injury prevention programmes to large employers. These services include assessing risk in the workplace and delivering education sessions, such as office safety and manual handling.

In the UK Niccola has worked within various private rehabilitation settings providing case management. She has also worked for the NHS in both hospital and community settings for people with a range of orthopaedic and medical conditions including amputation.

Niccola has been involved in supervision and training of case management staff, as well as promoting customer relationships and company business development. Niccola has also been involved in the development and delivery of post-graduate teaching programmes in vocational rehabilitation and case management.

In 2004 Niccola joined Harrison Associates and she currently holds the post of Practice Manager. In this role she is responsible for the operational and clinical management of the case management, medicolegal and rehabilitation sections, as well as maintaining an active caseload. She currently spends 40% of her time working with catastrophically injured clients.

Niccola has been undertaking litigation reports since 2005 and she has recently been cross-examined in Court as a Care and OT Expert. In 2008 Niccola was awarded the Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate through Cardiff University for successfully demonstrating competency in all areas of the course assessment.

Niccola holds current professional membership with the Case Management Society of the UK, the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of the UK, the British Association of Occupational Therapists and the newly formed UK Rehabilitation Council. From 2004 until 2007 she was on the executive committee of the specialist section of the College of Occupational Therapy for Work Practice and Productivity, and continues to remain actively involved with this group. She is also a member of the College of Occupational Therapists specialist section for Independent Practice, and is a committee member for their MedicoLegal forum.

Jenny Atkinson qualified as a state registered occupational therapist in 1987. She has worked in the National Health Service in the areas of General Medicine and Surgery, Mental Health, Pain Management, Oncology, Paediatrics and more specifically Rehabilitation in the inpatient and community setting.

Jenny has specialised in community neurological rehabilitation but has also worked with patients in persistent vegetative state using the original SMART assessment which has subsequently become validated. Her experience also extends to stroke rehabilitation for the elderly.

In 1993, Jenny joined the Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Outreach Team, London, as a Senior Occupational Therapist, during the Department of Health five year Brain Injury research project, and continued until 2002. While working for the team, she was responsible for managing clients with acquired brain injury, often with complex needs. Her work involved carrying out interdisciplinary and uni-disciplinary assessments with clients as well as implementing tailor-made treatment programmes. The Team used the Contractually Organised Goal Setting System (COGS) which, following discussion with the both client and the carers, entails the drawing up of rehabilitation goals into a contract of a time limited period. She has had experience of work rehabilitation in the field of voluntary and paid employment, comprising liaison with employers, on-site assessments and setting up work trial contracts.

Jenny is a member of the National Association of Neurological Occupational Therapists (NANOT) and has played an active role on the committee in the past as well as presenting a paper ‘Community Working with Clients with Acquired Brain Injury’. She has presented a paper at the College of Occupational Therapy Annual Conference on the use of memory strategies and more recently presented a paper on the treatment of clients with complex needs in brain injury at the Clinical Practitioners Day at Homerton Hospital.

For Harrison Associates, Jenny prepares medical legal reports, undertakes private therapy, conducts immediate needs assessments and acts as a case manager. She attends the regular Harrison Associates Training Days and her commitment to continuing professional development also includes regular attendance at national conferences and at NANOT specialist courses. She is an associate member of BABICM and a member of the Case Management Society of the UK. Jenny has completed the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) 5 day course and has regularly undertaken supervision of occupational therapy students.

Clare is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council who has extensive clinical experience working with clients with complex neurological conditions, particularly acquired brain injury. On qualifying in 1993 she worked for four years at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, gaining significant experience in rehabilitation for complex neuro disability conditions. Clare worked on the specialist brain injury unit where she acquired skills in assessing and treating minimally responsive clients using the SMART assessment. Clare has also completed the AMPS (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills) course.

Following this Clare broadened her experience by working in acute elderly hospital wards. She worked as a senior member of an Intermediate Care Team in which she gained experience of care packages and working with carers.

Clare joined the Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team in Hounslow in 2000 as a senior occupational therapist, further developing highly specialist skills in assessing, treating and managing clients with a wide range of neurological conditions, in particular in the field of acquired brain injury. She has extensive knowledge in assessing and treating this client group within their home and community environments, addressing their complex physical, psychological and cognitive needs. Clare has also worked with individuals and their families educating them on neurological conditions, as well as liaising with various professionals to ensure the needs of the individual are met.

Clare held the lead clinician post for the Community Neuro Rehab Team and was responsible for the development and implementation of treatment protocols and pathways for this service, including the development of practice pathway guidance for clients to facilitate a smooth transition from rehabilitation to home. She also provided advice on a consultative basis to other professionals and local agencies on issues of brain injury and the management of complex neurological conditions. Clare has completed functional needs assessments for the joint health and social services panel for clients with complex needs.

Clare also has significant teaching experience and has for several years provided training on brain injury and other neurological conditions to social services, carers, other health professionals and voluntary agencies. She jointly developed a teaching package to improve the knowledge of local care agencies and social services staff in caring for and managing clients with complex neurological conditions.

Clare holds professional membership with the British and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section of Neurological Practice, and regularly attends the London Acquired Brain Injury Forum meetings. Clare regularly attends courses and forums to support her professional practice, including leadership and project management courses. She continues to provide training to occupational therapy students. Clare is also a member of the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM)

Clare now works as an independent practitioner. She joined Harrison Associates in 2009 and undertakes case management and treatment programmes for clients with complex needs.

Tom Cleary is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council with particular experience working with clients with complex neurological conditions. After graduating in 2003, Tom worked for the health service in the areas of cardiac rehabilitation, oncology, general medical and stroke rehabilitation. In 2006 he moved into a specialist occupational therapy role for a private neurological rehabilitation company, initially providing individual case plans and managing the therapy input of clients with head and spinal cord injuries in a specialised care centre for young adults. The role extended in 2007 to managing the occupational therapy service, and included work within several specialised care centres and in the community.

In managing the private occupational therapy service Tom continued to hold an active caseload of complex cases. This included assessment and implementation of therapy care plans, with accurate prediction of rehabilitation needs and costs. His role also involved equipment provision, major home adaptations and appropriate discharge planning. He worked closely with a Consultant Neurologist and a multi-disciplinary team of treating neurological therapists.

In conjunction with this role, Tom provided complex assessments for the Local Health Board in Swansea. This involved an assessment service for clients with a variety of conditions including MS, MND, stroke, cardiac conditions, cancer and TBI. This assessment service provided manual handling assessments and training, equipment provision, major and minor home adaptation advice, therapy recommendations and specialised seating and wheelchair provision. Tom is also an accredited practice placement educator and worked as a placement coordinator for Cardiff University.

Tom has developed specialist skills in working with brain injured clients. He is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), the Specialised Section for Neurological Practice (SSNP – formerly NANOT) and the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM). He is also in the process of applying for associate professional membership with the Case Management Society of the UK (CMSUK).

In 2009 Tom joined Harrison Associates as a case manager. He works with clients with complex conditions, and their families. Tom continues to provide occupational therapy assessment and treatment programmes.

Joanna Collins is an occupational therapist who has extensive experience in both the UK and Ireland working in the field of physical disability with both children and adults. After qualifying in 1977, Joanna gained her MSc in occupational therapy from Exeter University in 2003. Her research implemented and explored clinical reasoning techniques in occupational therapy.

Joanna’s earlier experience involved working at the National Centre for Childhood Epilepsy. She subsequently worked in social services teams in community settings providing equipment for elderly people with disabilities and undertaking assessments for grant work for housing adaptations. Her work in hospital settings, mainly in care for the elderly, included stroke rehabilitation programmes, co-ordinating discharge plans and managing therapy staff.

In Ireland, Joanna’s community caseload included adults with post-traumatic injuries and resulting disabilities. She was involved in setting up initiatives for adults with disabilities to engage personal assistants. This project was in line with the philosophy of empowerment of the Independent Living Movement pioneered in the US.

From 1998 Joanna worked with children and young adults with disabilities within the health services. As the first paediatric occupational therapist in the Midland Health Board in Ireland she was involved in the establishment and expansion of a new paediatric service covering two counties, contributing to detailed service plans, training and mentoring new staff. This service delivered occupational therapy to children and young adults with physical disabilities, involving the prescription of disability equipment and housing adaptations. Joanna also assessed and treated children with specific learning difficulties using amongst others, sensory integrative strategies. She developed an interest in conflict management often working with the more complex families.

Joanna as been working as an independent practitioner from 2001, predominantly assessing and treating children with a variety of disabilities including those with autistic spectrum disorders. She established an innovative summer camp project for children with co-ordination difficulties, in collaboration with an adventure park, as well as initiating an “Explorers Unlimited” group for young adults with significant physical disabilities. Joanna has been consistently involved in training for parents, educators and therapists especially in the area of inclusive strategies for children with disabilities in school settings.

In 2008 Joanna joined Harrison Associates as a case manager, working with both children and adults with complex and multiple conditions. She is assisting families with setting up care regimes. She also continues to provide paediatric occupational therapy programmes. Joanna regularly attends and contributes her expertise in relevant study days and professional development opportunities. Joanna is now using her wide experience to provide expert witness reports for the Court to include care and occupational therapy aspects. She has undergone relevant training in expert witness work and CPR.

Joanna is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), and the Case Management Society of the UK (CMSUK).

Sarah Daniels is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council. She has over 15 years clinical, managerial and educational experience both in the USA and in the UK. Her main area of expertise lies in complex neurological assessment and rehabilitation.

After graduating in 1993 in the UK, Sarah worked in the areas of paediatrics, neurology and general medicine before moving to the United States in 1995 where she worked as an agency therapist in four different rehabilitation units. She continued to develop her interest in neurology, completing a training course in Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT).

On return to the UK in 1997, Sarah worked in the National Health Service as a specialist occupational therapist gaining experience in the assessment and rehabilitation of acquired brain injury and chronic progressive neurological conditions. She then worked at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery where she continued to develop knowledge and experience in a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient neuro-rehabilitation, neuropsychiatry and general neuro-medicine. In addition to managing her own caseload, Sarah has led a special seating clinic for inpatients, contributed to multidisciplinary assessment clinics, and provided occupational therapy in the multidisciplinary management of the tone impaired and contracted upper limb.

Sarah commenced post graduate studies in 2000 and was awarded her MSc in neuro-rehabilitation in 2003. Her research formed the basis of the clinical guidance document; ‘Fatigue Management for People with Multiple Sclerosis’, which was published in 2007 by the College of Occupational Therapists. During her career she has made presentations at national conferences and training days on various topics related to neurological occupational therapy. Sarah also holds a certificate in counselling skills (level 3) and has experience in the supervision and clinical education of students and junior therapy staff.

Sarah has considerable experience and expertise in a wide range of neurological conditions. She is skilled in the assessment and management of complex neurological cases including acquired brain injury and has a special interest in fatigue and fatigue management as well as the cognitive, behavioural and psychosocial dimensions of brain injury and how these impact on function. She is currently employed part-time at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, as a clinical specialist/team lead for an in-patient neuro-rehabilitation unit.

Sarah is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy (BAOT) and the College of Occupational Therapy specialist sections for Neurological Practice. She is currently in process of applying for membership with the Case Management Society UK (CMSUK).

As part of the team of Harrison Associates, Sarah undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She also acts as a case manager for complex conditions including brain injury. She has had training in the Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Siân Gouldstone is a stated registered occupational therapist with a range of experience in health, social care and private sectors.

She has considerable experience working for both acute hospital and community NHS trusts. Her main clinical specialization is neurology, but she also has experienced in orthopaedic, medical and elderly care. Intervention with clients has included maximizing personal care and domestic independence skills, wheelchair and equipment prescription and environmental assessments. Siân has been responsible for the assessment of care packages and coordination of rehabilitation assistants to respond rapidly to need. Siân has also played a lead role in the merge in facilitating the merge of a physiotherapy and occupational therapy team within the primary care sector.

Siân’s experience working in social services has included assessment for the provision of equipment and adaptations and close liaison with social workers in the setting up of complex care packages. This position has provided Siân with the opportunity to develop skills in assessing needs for children with disabilities.

Siân has worked as lead occupational therapist for a team working with adults with learning disabilities. This position has involved assessment and treatment of adults with complex needs. Many of these clients had severe physical disabilities and/or behavioral problems. Siân was responsible for training and advising care and rehabilitation staff on intervention with the clients. She was also involved with identifying needs for appropriate placement.

Siân has worked with adults with acquired brain injuries within a charitable organisation. Her work involved enabling service users to maximize their independence and acquire skills for community living. She was responsible for assessment and provision of equipment and for the assessment of specialist housing needs. Siân also devised rehabilitation programs for support workers to implement.

Siân has experience working with a people with a variety of conditions in the hospital, community and private setting. She has provided rehabilitation programmes and equipment for people with above knee, below knee and bilateral amputations. Siân has also advised on their adaptation needs.

Throughout her career Siân has taken an active role in service development and training. She has supervised other occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants. Siân is committed to professional development and has regularly attended training courses, including the Bond Solon Courtroom Skills Training Day. Siân attained an ‘A’ grade average in a post graduate diploma course in neurorehabiliation.

Siân has worked for Harrison Associates since 2001. She undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. Siân has had experience giving evidence in court. She also works as a case manager. Siân regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days. She is a member of CMSUK and BAOT.

Jacqueline Green is an occupational therapist whose main experience is in working with children with complex needs. Jacqueline qualified as a mature student in 2001, and upon qualifying she worked in a social services occupational therapy team working with children and adults. This required undertaking assessments for disability equipment and adaptations within the home, and explaining the changes to family and carers.

From 2002 Jacqueline worked within a community multidisciplinary paediatric therapy team for children from birth to nineteen years. Her caseload included children with a range of physical and learning disabilities including cerebral palsy, progressive neuromuscular conditions, oncology, acquired neurological disabilities and multiple limb amputations.

Jacqueline has provided intervention to children with complex and multiple pathologies within the community, including collaborative working with health and social care professionals, and also providing training for parents and support staff for children on 24 hour postural management programmes within the home.

Jacqueline has experience of delivering Early Intervention Occupational Therapy programmes providing assessment and advice to parents and carers including the voluntary sector, mainstream and Special Educational Needs Early Years settings.

Jacqueline has extensive experience of supporting children with special needs within education, working with classroom staff on occupational therapy programmes to promote development of skills, with advice on inclusion, therapeutic manual handling, environmental adaptations and recommendations for specialist equipment. She has experience of educating parents and educational staff on the needs of children with cerebral palsy, motor coordination and visual perceptual difficulties.

Jacqueline has also developed a special interest in working with young adults, including developing life skills and supporting transition to further and higher education.

Jacqueline has consistently developed her professional, clinical and management skills and undertaken courses in Early Intervention at the Bobath Centre London, and completed a Leadership and Management course. She is committed to maintaining CPD. Jacqueline has experience as an occupational therapy student placement supervisor, child protection supervisor and contributed to training of other healthcare and medical students.

Jacqueline is registered with the Health Professions Council and is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists. She joined Harrison Associates as a case manager and has undertaken a full range of training.

Jo Heller qualified in 1986 as an occupational therapist. She is registered with the Health Professions Council. Jo has extensive experience of undertaking complex needs led assessments of people of all age groups with physical and mental health disabilities within the NHS, social services, housing and residential settings.

Jo worked in the NHS specialising in rehabilitation of older people, rheumatology and neurology. She progressed to Head of Department (Acute Services) before changing direction to work within social services in 1990. She has a wide and varied experience of assessments to identify the needs of people of all ages with multiple disabilities. She has participated in the planning and implementation of many major adaptation schemes.

Since 1993 Jo has worked as an independent occupational therapist for local authorities, charities, housing associations and private individuals. She has worked as a part-time children’s occupational therapist within the London Borough of Havering since 1993 and has remained working within children’s services to date. Jo has worked within a number of care management teams contributing to the assessment process and participating in the arrangement of domestic and nursing care packages from statutory, private and voluntary agencies.

Since 1994 Jo has undertaken costed Expert reports for equipment and care on behalf of solicitors acting for both claimants and defendants. Jo has also acted as a single joint expert.

In 1994 Jo was commissioned by Cambridgeshire Social Services to set up and run an open access advice and information service for people with disabilities, in conjunction with Boots the Chemist. This experience has enabled her to be involved in the Transforming Community Equipment Services (TCES) project and she now undertakes regular training of retailers with regard to equipment provision through prescription. Her training course has been endorsed by the Department of Health.

Jo acted as consultant to Threshold Architects, producing an authoritative design guide for wheelchair accessible homes aimed at housing builders across all tenures. The book was commissioned by the National Wheelchair Housing Group and was published in November 1997.

Between March 2007 and March 2009 Jo was a regional assessor for Canine Partners. She was responsible for assessing the needs of disabled people wishing to have assistance dogs.

During 2007 and 2008 Jo and undertook the responsibility for running Mobility Assessment Clinics within the London Borough of Newham. This entailed assessing individuals who did not automatically qualify for Taxi cards, Freedom Passes or Blue Badges.

Between February 2009 and March 2010, Jo was appointed as the Interim Occupational Therapy Team Manager within the Adult Social Care Team in Havering. She retained responsibility for the supervision of the children’s occupational therapist within social services and also the local PCT children’s therapists. Jo currently works for two days a week within the Learning Support Team for the same Borough and runs a training company.

Lindsey Hilton is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council. She has worked for the National Health Service (NHS) for over ten years and during this time has worked with service users with both physical and mental health needs.

Lindsey qualified as an occupational therapist in 1998. She worked initially in a wide variety of mental health settings including inpatient and community services. Lindsey worked for three years for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust who provide one of the most extensive portfolios of mental health services in the UK.

Lindsey has significant experience of assessing and treating service users with mood disorders, psychosis, personality disorders, challenging behavior and post traumatic stress disorder. She became a Clinical Specialist in Mental Health in 2005. Lindsey has managed several teams of therapists in both ward and community settings. She has nine years experience of supervising students and junior staff.

Since 2006 Lindsey has managed a Community Rehabilitation Team. As well as her management responsibilities she carries a full and varied caseload. Lindsey has experience of assessing the care and rehabilitation needs of clients with a wide variety of physical health needs including: orthopaedic issues (both traumatic and elective), musculoskeletal disorders, palliative care, chronic pain, amputation, chronic obstructive airway disease (often industry related) and neurological conditions. Lindsey is a ‘falls’ specialist and a qualified Postural Stability Instructor.

Lindsey has built up excellent assessment skills and has detailed knowledge of the rehabilitation of clients with physical and mental health needs. Lindsey regularly contributes to continuing health care assessments for the NHS. Her reports identify the complex health, equipment and social care needs of clients, which have arisen as the result of disability, accident or illness. Lindsey has a good working knowledge of adaptive equipment and the implementation and management of care packages.

Lindsey currently provides solution focused group supervision and vulnerable adult training for the NHS. She joined Harrison Associates in 2010 as a case manager and attends regular training sessions. She maintains her continuing professional development requirements.

Margaret Hynd qualified as a state registered Occupational Therapist in 1977.

After working for a short period within the NHS, the majority of her career has been spent within the Social Services setting, undertaking needs led assessments of people of all ages with physical, sensory and learning difficulties. During this time she has gained extensive experience in assessment of clients needs, implementing the provision of major adaptations and providing both standard and specialised equipment.

In her role as a Care Manager within Hertfordshire County Council she has gained experience in the assessing and arranging of home care packages, day care and respite care for all ages.

Margaret has experience of working as part of a Children, Schools and Families team where she assessed the needs of children with disabilities and those of the family, supplying essential equipment and implementing major adaptation work to property. She worked closely with local specialist schools and with the Social Workers she was based with, seeking to improve the quality of life for those families she came into contact with.

During her career Margaret has taken on a number of supervisory responsibilities and spent three years as an Assistant Team Manager within a large team of Occupational Therapists in a London Borough. During that time she helped in the development of service provision by managing a team of Occupational Therapists and Assistants, contributing towards their professional development through regular supervision and appraisal, allocating and monitoring workloads. She was instrumental in designing standards of specification for adaptation work.

Margaret has taken part in a number of working parties, contributing towards the development of the service including the formation of the joint Health and Social Services Community Equipment store, within Hertfordshire. At that time she also worked closely with Housing Associations to improve service provision to clients.

Margaret has been working with Harrison Associates since August 2006. She continues to attend regular training sessions as part of her commitment to develop professionally. She acts as a case manager for adults and children with complex needs (including brain injury), as well as preparing litigation reports.

Kay McArthur is a state registered Occupational Therapist with experience in both clinical and vocational rehabilitation and case management.

After graduating in 1997 from the University of Exeter, Kay completed a rotational post covering a number of clinical specialties including hand therapy, community mental health, neurological rehabilitation and acute general medical. In 1999, Kay worked as a senior therapist in orthopaedics, providing a ‘hospital from home” service facilitating quick and effective discharge from hospital following elective surgery. Assessments, treatment and equipment provision were completed in the patient’s home as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

In 2001, Kay commenced work in Australia where she was involved in setting up an occupational therapy service to a hospital. This involved close liaison with other service managers and providers as well as ongoing education for both staff and clients, regarding the role of the occupational therapist. Kay worked with patients with a wide range of acute medical conditions and as part of the development of the service implemented and developed the required documentation and policies.

In 2002, Kay worked as a Head Occupational Therapist in an acute care setting and was responsible for managing a team of six therapists and assistants. Here Kay was involved in the review of policies and procedures with the aim of improving response time to referrals, quality of service and effective intervention outcomes. It also included the induction and supervision of staff at all levels and the development of an induction programme to facilitate smooth integration for new staff members.

Kay commenced work as a rehabilitation consultant in 2003 specialising in case management of clients with work related injuries. Here her role as consultant/case manager required close and effective communication with all involved including treating parties, employers and specialist’s consultants. Worksite, ergonomic and functional assessments, prescription of equipment, job analysis and the development of graded return to work plans were important to facilitate a safe and effective return to work. In addition to the role of case manager Kay provided training for high profile customers, included ergonomics, manual handling, and stress management.

On returning to the UK Kay worked in the field of respiratory involved in the development and implementation of a new service as part of a trust wide strategy to develop services provided for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Kay providing training and workshops to key members of the multidisciplinary team and as the OT lead, provided input into the local steering groups as well as presenting at local and national conferences.

Over the last five years Kay has worked as an occupational therapy consultant and case manager providing occupational therapy assessments, vocational rehabilitation services, training and rehabilitation case management.

For Harrison Associates, Kay undertakes vocational assessments, prepares rehabilitation and return-to-work programmes, provides vocational rehabilitation training and acts as a case manager. She regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Kay is currently a member of the British Association for Occupational Therapists, College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Work, and Vocational Rehabilitation Association and is a committee member for the Case Management Society UK.

Catherine McLaughlin is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council with over 20 years clinical and managerial expertise in the areas of complex neurological conditions, and service delivery and improvement. She completed a Masters degree in Health Science in 1994 and her research dissertation focused on the area of neurological activities used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

After graduating in Ireland, Catherine came to the UK in 1987 working in stroke and acute rehabilitation settings until 1989 when she moved to work in the Middle East. Her work there was with stroke and head injury rehabilitation clients including those in a vegetative state or with severe physical disability, as well as paediatric clients with neurological and congenital abnormalities. On returning to the UK in 1992 she worked in the private sector in stroke and brain injury rehabilitation, long-term neurological conditions, spinal cord injury and oncology. She continued to work in the private sector in London at the Devonshire Hospital until 1999 when she took up the post of Therapy Services Manager at the Wellington Hospital. Returning to clinical work in 2003 as Head of Occupational Therapy she has gained valuable skills and knowledge in the management of physical and cognitive impairments through her work, as well as extensive experience in staff and service management.

Catherine has developed a special interest in the area of brain injury as a result of her work at both the Devonshire and the Wellington Hospitals. Her various roles have included a clinical component providing complex assessments and accurate prediction of rehabilitation needs for ongoing care. In addition, Catherine gained experience of co-ordinating rehabilitation and discharge to appropriate community settings, as well as complex seating assessment skills. Catherine has been involved in providing training for carers and families.

Catherine has also worked in the area of complex discharge planning and rehabilitation for orthopaedic (including amputation), oncology and pain management caseloads. She has experience in manual handling training as well as ergonomic work place assessments.

Catherine is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM), the Case Management Society of the UK (CMSUK) and the Specialist Section for Neurological practice (SNNP). Catherine has lectured at national level on the management of progressive neurological conditions.

Catherine joined Harrison Associates in 2009 and undertakes case management and treatment programmes for clients with complex needs.

Steve McWilliams is a state registered occupational therapist with 26 years experience of assisting disabled people to manage their disability and lead as independent a life as possible. Steve has spent some eight years working with adults with acquired brain injury in the acute, post-acute and rehabilitation settings, predominantly in the NHS but also in the charitable and private sectors. He has published a paper on adult brain injury in a peer-reviewed journal and two chapters in a primary occupational therapy text.

He has worked with children over the past 15 years in the acute and community settings and has maintained a clinical role whilst also being an independent practitioner. He retains a position with Stockport Primary Care Trust as a senior paediatric occupational therapist and works with a variety of children with a range of developmental and acquired disabilities.

He has prepared several hundred medico-legal reports over the past 18 years and is trained in report writing and courtroom skills, and has experience of giving evidence in Court. He has also acted as Case Manager in several complex cases.

Steve completed a B.A. (hons) in Social Dimensions of Health in 1989 at the Sheffield City Polytechnic and his research dissertation examined affective changes in adults following acquired brain injury as perceived by patients and relatives. This led to a publication in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy.

He completed a further Master of Research degree at the University of Manchester in 2004. His dissertation looked at the impact on self-esteem of group therapy for children with developmental co-ordination disorder. This led to a further publication and Steve presented this at The National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapist annual conference in 2005.

He has been involved in fieldwork education and is trained as a fieldwork educator. He has undertaken more formal teaching sessions in local schools to teachers, parents and support staff, regarding various aspects of occupational therapy. He has presented a paper at a regional conference, ran a workshop at a national conference for occupational therapists in independent practice, and presented at local and regional meetings and study days.

Steve continues to attend regular mandatory and clinical training to maintain continued professional development and also reqularly attends Harrison Associates Training Days.

Publications:

• “Affective changes following severe head injury as perceived by patients and relatives.” (McWilliams), British Journal of Occupational Therapy. July 1991.
• “Head Injury” (McWilliams), in “Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction.” (3rd ed.), Turner, Foster and Johnson, 1992.
• “Head Injury” (McWilliams), in “Occupational Therapy and Physical Dysfunction” (4th ed.), Turner, Foster and Johnson, 1996.
• “Developmental Co-ordination Disorder and Self-esteem: Do Occupational Therapy Groups have a Positive Effect?” (McWilliams), British Journal of Occupational Therapy. September 2005.

Janice qualified as an occupational therapist in 1993. She commenced working for Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans Social Services as a care manager with the elderly and with clients with physical disability. She gained extensive experience assessing clients and arranging the provision of major adaptations, equipment, home-care, day-care and residential care packages.

Janice progressed to a senior practitioner post, which involved managing the most difficult cases and included complex moving and handling issues. During this time she undertook an active management role, which included liaising with outside organizations, service planning and monitoring the equipment budgets.

Janice assumed the responsibility for the mentoring and supervision of occupational therapists and support staff. She also actively participated in research and completed an MSc in occupational therapy in 2001 with a thesis on evaluating a community based equipment service.

To gain experience in the health sector Janice took up a post as a head occupational therapist, specialising in surgery and orthopaedics, at Hemel Hempstead and St Albans General Hospitals. The role included both a management component and handling a client caseload. She took the lead in developing occupational therapy in the accident and emergency unit and the hospital at home service. The latter involved facilitating early discharge, advising on therapeutic input, liaising on care packages and training support workers.

Janice left the health service in 2002 to form her own company. She presently undertakes independent living assessments, cognitive assessments and supervision assessments for an insurance company, assessing and advising on both care and equipment. Janice undertakes complex case management within the community organizing and monitoring care packages, involving both privately employed and agency carers. Janice also arranges and monitors rehabilitation programmes to maximize the client’s potential. She works closely with other professionals and the statutory authorities. Janice continues to develop her knowledge base through attending regular training sessions.

For Harrison Associates, Janice undertakes individual assessments and has prepared Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She also acts as a case manager for clients with complex conditions including those with brain injury, spinal injury, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. She has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Chloe Rees has worked in a range of clinical areas within the paediatric field, specialising in learning difficulties of various aetiology, autistic spectrum disorder, dyspraxia, developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), stammering, voice and language disorder. She has gained valuable and extensive experience in the management of cognitive and language problems and associated physical impairments within the NHS. She worked in Sussex Down and Weald Trust as a therapist from 1992 to 1997. She has also worked in the private sector and in conjunction with local education authorities and education providers. Chloe has provided therapy services for Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Newport and Bro Morgannwg from 2002 to 2009. Accurate assessment of need and prediction of future requirements are part of her clinical duties and she has extensive experience of providing such reports for the Court for the purposes of Educational Tribunals and reviews.

Chloe Rees is a speech and language therapist registered with the Health Professions Council and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, with extensive expertise in the area of paediatric speech and language delay/disorder. Having achieved a BA in languages at London University, Chloe qualified as a speech and language therapist in 1991, after completing the two year postgraduate diploma in Clinical Communications (at City University).

Chloe has worked within one of the country’s foremost multi-disciplinary organisations in the area of DCD, the Dyscovery Centre. In the first instance she was resident senior speech therapist in 2001 and subsequently worked on a freelance basis up to and including 2009. Assimilating and integrating knowledge from the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy has given her a unique perspective on the interdependence of physical, environmental and cognitive factors and their management. Consultation with regard to current and future management is a large part of Chloe’s role, in all work environments.

Chloe has developed her skills in negotiating with other professionals, clients and their carers in order to achieve the best clinical outcome for the client. Chloe has worked as a child advocate from 2006 to 2007 which has given her experience in working in conjunction with social services and the difficulties inherent in representing the rights of those with disabilities. She has provided training to schools, designed training for parents and teachers as part of a local authority project and instigated related training where appropriate.

Chloe is using her wide community based experience she has gained over the years by taking on the formal case manager role. She joined Harrison Associates in 2010 and is working mainly with disabled children and their families. Chloe regularly attends Harrison Associate training days, and maintains her CPD requirements.

Mandy Richmond is an Occupational Therapist registered with the Health Professions Council. She has over 15 years clinical, managerial and educational experience both in South Africa and the UK. Her main area of expertise lies in complex neurological assessment and rehabilitation including severe brain injury cases.

After graduating in South Africa, Mandy worked in the areas of stroke rehabilitation, paediatrics, hand therapy and general medicine. Since coming to the UK in 1994 Mandy has worked in the National Health Service in the areas of healthcare for the elderly, neurological outpatients, rheumatology, cardiology and neurological rehabilitation.

Mandy gained her experience with working with younger persons with severe to moderate brain injury as Senior I Occupational Therapist at Kings College Hospital and later as Head of Occupational Therapy at the Blackheath Brain Injury and Neurodisability Centres in London. Her experience lies in the assessment and rehabilitation of those clients suffering behavioural disturbances following brain injury as well as to those with severe physical disability (including vegetative states) following a neurological incident. Her roles included a significant clinical component involving intensive assessments, accurate identification of resident’s needs, provision thereof and making appropriate future recommendations for ongoing care. She has extensive experience of case management tasks including training of carers, working closely with families, co-ordinating rehabilitation and discharges and accessing community and social services

Mandy commenced post-graduate studies in 2001 and was awarded a diploma in Health Services Management in 2003. She has lectured at South Bank University on their Summer course programme in “Therapeutic Approaches in Neurological OT” and “Cognition and Perception”. During her career she has made several presentations at conferences and training days in the area of Neurological O.T. She completed a 3- week Bobath Adult Neurology course in 1997 and the AMPS training in 2004.

As a consultant Occupational Therapist Mandy is currently providing occupational therapy treatment and advice to Independence Homes, a specialist organisation for those suffering from epilepsy and learning disabilities. She also provides treatment and consultation to a seven-bed unit specialising in rehabilitation of young men with brain injury and challenging behaviour. As an independent practitioner, Mandy also provides moderate and complex case management and occupational therapy assessment and treatments to clients in the community.

Mandy is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapy (BAOT), the Case Management Society UK (CMSUK), the Occupational Therapy in Private Practice group (OTIP) and the National Association of Neurological and Neuro-rehabilitation Occupational Therapists (NANOT).

As part of the team of Harrison Associates, Mandy undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She also acts as a case manager for complex conditions including brain injury. She has had training in the Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training and development days.

Michelle Sharland is an occupational therapist, registered with the Health Professions Council, who qualified in South Africa in 1995. She has extensive paediatric experience in assessing, treating and case managing children with varying degrees of disabilities within community settings. Her experience extends to South Africa, New Zealand and the UK.

After graduating, Michelle worked as a community therapist and managed her own private practice specialising in neuro-development treatment and sensory integration with children with neurological and developmental disabilities.

Michelle has a particular interest in children with cerebral palsy, developmental delays and children with general co-ordination difficulties. She has been involved with setting up programmes and training carers and teachers as well as restructuring environments within which these children function. Michelle has worked with children in special needs schools as well as in mainstream settings providing advice and recommendations, adaptations and assessment for specialist equipment. Michelle also worked as a consultant occupational therapist for insurance and large private companies in assessing clients for workers’ compensation claims.

In December 2002 Michelle was appointed Head of Department for a community paediatric occupational therapy team in an inner London borough. She has been involved with multi-disciplinary service development looking at managing waiting lists, setting up of various specialist clinics while maintaining client centred care. She manages a complex paediatric caseload and is also involved in the training of medical doctors and paediatricians in the management of children with disabilities.

Michelle is a member of the National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT) a specialist section of the College of Occupational Therapists. Michelle has attended numerous courses covering clinical and managerial skills and is committed to ongoing professional development. She has completed a Bobath Centre Postgraduate Course on the Bobath approach to the assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy.

Michelle has experience of medical-legal assessments in South Africa and joined Harrison Associates to continue this work in the UK. She also acts as a case manager. She has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates Training and Development days on aspects of the litigation process and responsibilities in case management.

Sue Turner is a state registered occupational therapist in 1981 and she has extensive experience in the field of rehabilitation. Whilst training she gained practical experience in the field of learning disabilities, neurological conditions, psychiatry and orthopaedics.

Sue has worked in the NHS in the field of trauma and orthopaedics, rheumatology, neurology, geriatrics and amputations. This work has included the rehabilitation of traumatised patients who have suffered from fractures, strokes and head injuries. In the field of rehabilitation she has worked with patients having had routine operations due to orthopaedic and rheumatoid conditions. She has had experience of working in a specialised hand injury unit which included conditions such as crush injuries, amputations of the fingers and arm, fractures of the upper limb, nerve and tendon injuries including brachial plexus lesions.

She has worked as a community occupational therapist for 21 years. Work here is wide and varied and includes clients with spinal injuries, back injuries, amputations of both lower limbs and upper limbs, cancer and arthritic conditions, joint replacements, head injuries and neurological disorders. A major part of assessment involves providing appropriate equipment enabling clients and their carers to be as independent as possible. Many clients require property adaptations to facilitate their independence. This involves planning for long-term needs as well as meeting their current requirements.

She has been involved in the care plans of clients requiring care in the community this involves liaison with various care agencies and establishing a package of care to suit the clients’ needs. Packages of care vary considerably from the minimum of a couple of hours for shopping to major packages involving daily personal care and childcare.

In conjunction with medico-legal work she has worked with two charities namely Headway, which assist victims of brain injury and Action for ME, which assists people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. She currently works with Dorset Social Care and Health. Assessments are carried out in combination with service users, families, carers and other professionals. They involve the evaluation of all aspects of an individual’s situation, including an assessment of jeopardy and risk.

Since joining Harrison Associates in 2006 Sue has been working as a case manager for adults with varying levels of trauma following personal injury. She has also been assessing personal injury claimants for 12 years dealing with both claimant and defendant cases. Sue regularly attends training days and maintains her CPD requirements and regularly attends Harrison Associates training workshops.

Joanna Walsh is a state registered occupational therapist with over thirty years experience of helping disabled people to manage their disabilities and to lead as independent a life as possible. She has worked in a variety of settings, including mental health, rheumatology and neurology in England, Switzerland and Austria.

She was a project leader in Avon Social Services, managing a team of occupational therapists and co-ordinating all the major adaptations in the county. She lectured on an occupational therapy course in Hong Kong.

On returning from Hong Kong she obtained a M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Studies at Southampton University and then took up a post as Course Leader for an in-service diploma in occupational therapy at the University of the West of England. She designed the current B.Sc. (Hons) in occupational therapy there and was a senior lecturer on the course lecturing in anatomy, occupational therapy theory and management. She supervised students' projects and acted as link tutor to students on fieldwork placements. She had other lecturing responsibilities within the university and ran clinical reasoning workshops in the South West Region.

Her research project examined the relevance of statutory occupational therapy services to clients' needs and she presented this paper at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Congress. She has also worked with homeless people.

She was on a number of committees within the university, was a member of the occupational therapy tutors' group and was an external examiner for the BSc in occupational therapy in York. She was an external examiner for a Masters in Professional Development at Exeter University.

Joanna became an independent consultant occupational therapist in 1998. Her work includes sessions at the Disabled Living Centre advising people on specialised equipment, acting as a consultant for the assessment of people in a residential home and treating clients privately in their own homes. Joanna is trained to use the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, an internationally recognised functional assessment.

For Harrison Associates, Joanna undertakes individual assessments and prepares Expert Witness reports for the Court covering occupational therapy, aids and equipment and/or care requirements, as necessary. She has acted as a case manager. She has had training in the revised Civil Procedure Rules and regularly attends the Harrison Associates training days. She has used her extensive experience in education to develop a range of new courses for Harrison Associates training division.

Lindsay Wasserfall is an occupational therapist registered with the Health Professions Council with extensive clinical and managerial expertise in the areas of complex neurological conditions and vocational rehabilitation.

After graduating in South Africa, Lindsay came to the UK in 1999. She has worked in a range of clinical areas, including stroke rehabilitation, brain injury (including those in a vegetative state with severe physical disability), long-term neurological conditions, spinal cord injury, oncology and vocational rehabilitation. She has gained valuable skills and knowledge in the management of physical and cognitive impairments through working in the National Health Service, Social Service and private sector. She has also had experience of working with clients with challenging behaviours, forensic, addiction and social skills problems.

She has developed a special interest in the area of brain injury as a result of her work at the Blackheath Brain Injury Centre in London. Her role included a significant clinical component providing complex assessments and accurate prediction of rehabilitation needs for ongoing care. In addition, Lindsay gained experience of co-ordinating rehabilitation and discharges to appropriate community settings as well as training carers and families.

Most recently she has worked in the area of vocational rehabilitation including functional capacity and ergonomic workplace assessments. She has developed her skills in negotiating with employers and other professionals in facilitating risk management and injury prevention within the framework of employment law and the Disability Discrimination Act. She has worked with many major national organisations and businesses.

Lindsay is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), the British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM), the Case Management Society of the UK and the National Association of Neurological Occupational Therapists (NANOT). Lindsay has played an active role on the NANOT committee in the past including presentations on ‘Challenging Behaviour in Adults with Brain Injury’.

Lindsay joined the team at Harrison Associates as a brain injury case manager and also provides expert witness reports for the Court. She also works as a lead trainer in delivering post-graduate education courses to occupational therapists across the UK in the area of neurology. In 2008 she was awarded the Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate through Cardiff University for successfully demonstrating competency in all areas of the course assessment.