Christine W

Specialisms

• Physiotherapy.
• Spinal cord injury.
• Spinal and back injuries.
• Cauda Equina.
• Neurological, stroke and co-ordination disorders.
• Respiratory support and ventilation.
• Pressure sores.
• Moving and handling.

Profile 

Since becoming an Expert Witness in 2007 I have completed over 200 care, equipment and physiotherapy reports, together with related follow-up work.  I have also attended case conferences, meetings of experts and given evidence under cross-examination in court.  I have been writing reports for NHS Legal Departments and children’s solicitors since the mid 1990s. 

I am a physiotherapist with over 30 years’ experience of working with children and adults.  I currently work as an independent practitioner, providing physiotherapy treatment for children and adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, head injury, spinal injury and co-ordination disorders.  I am a Moving and Handling practitioner advising clients with complex needs, and was a designated district posture and wheelchair therapist, which included advising on housing adaptations. 

I have extensive experience, both professionally and personally, of spinal injury.  I have been married to a man with a spinal injury for over 30 years and have been involved with a local disabled sports club for many years.  Being a physiotherapist, I became involved in the classification of disability for local and national competitions, and in the early 1980s accompanied the Great Britain Para Olympic team to Toronto as a support worker.  I provide advice to case managers for those individuals who require respiratory support or overnight artificial ventilation and have provided respite care to several teenagers with severe disabilities who required 24-hour personal and social needs. 

As stated, I also work with children and young adults with a range of complex developmental and acquired conditions.  I managed a team of 18 occupational therapists and physiotherapists at a Children’s Therapy Service and have provided training for prospective home carers of young adults with physical and learning difficulties.  The training included the level of care, impact on family life, transport and social issues. 

I am a confident and clear communicator who has a range of distinct and complementary skills. 

Qualifications and Membership 

• Diploma in Physiotherapy, Manchester (1978).
• Master of Science Degree - Health Practice (Salford 2002).
• Managing Health and Safety, Institute Of Safety in Health-IOSH (2004).
• Advanced Practitioner in Ergonomic Moving and Handling (accredited by CSP 2013).
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP).
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice (CPPP).
• Multidisciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (MASCIP).
• Association of Paediatric Physiotherapists (APCP).

Career History 

2007-date
Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co 

2006-date
Independent Practice 

1990-2010
Respite care provider 

1996-2009
Out of hours physiotherapy
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital 

1993-2006
Manager Children’s Therapy service
Trafford NHS

1976-1993
Senior Physiotherapist
Trafford NHS Trust

Home Base
Cheshire