Specialisms
• Complex orthopaedics including multiple fractures.
• Upper and lower limb amputations.
• Neurological conditions.
• Pain including Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
• Cauda Equina.
• Spinal injuries.
• Cancer.
• Terminal illness.
• Loss of services for Fatal Accident Claims.
• Associated internal injuries.
• Associated mental health.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at January 2024, I am engaged in the role of Occupational Therapist for East Cheshire NHS Community Trust for an average of 50 hours per month.
Signed
Specific Injuries Experience
Stephanie has a wide range of experience as a Senior Occupational Therapist. She frequently works with clients, in the community and in the hospital setting, who have orthopaedic injuries and amputations following accidents or elective surgeries.
It is common for her clients to have issues with joints, either following orthopaedic surgery, joint replacement or due to arthritis. Weakness of a limb or extensive weakness throughout the body and chronic pain are features that will commonly present. Stephanie is responsible for managing their ongoing needs and will work with individuals across a wide age range. She provides support and equipment needs, referring patients to other services and providers where appropriate.
Stephanie also treats and manages patients with spinal injuries such as fractures and Cauda Equina, and neurological conditions including stroke, MS and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as individuals requiring end of life care.
Her patients frequently have related issues linked to pain, fatigue, cognition, mental health, and bladder and bowel difficulties.
Employment Profile
Stephanie has been an independent Expert Witness since 2006, completing over 300 reports to date. She is experienced in attending case conferences, participating in experts’ meetings and attending court.
Stephanie qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1986 and has worked with people with a full range of disabilities since this time. She has extensive experience of assessment, rehabilitation, complex discharge planning, recommendation and implementation of complex care packages. She has continued with her professional development throughout her career and has worked in both the NHS and private sectors.
Stephanie is an independent Occupational Therapist, specialising in the assessment of equipment and provision of care packages designed to enable people to live independently in their own homes. Alongside developing an independent practice, Stephanie has held various senior locum positions over the years, including: Senior OT on a Neurological specialist unit treating acute and rehabilitation CVA patients; Senior OT on a Neurological specialist ward in a highly regarded teaching hospital treating rehabilitation patients; Senior OT covering acute medicine, surgery and amputee patients. She has also worked as a Case Manager and as a Specialist Advisor for the Care Quality Commission.
In recent years, Stephanie has been responsible for the safe discharge planning of patients who require equipment, minor adaptations and care to be able to return home from hospital. She also works within the community team, providing support to those who are struggling within the community and who require additional or different equipment or care due to their changing needs.
Her work requires assessments in both hospital and home environments, and regular liaison with equipment suppliers and care providers.
Stephanie has been involved with, and has special interest in significant research projects, the development of Occupational Therapy Departments and chronic pain. She was part of a significant research project for The Department of Work and Pensions. This involved over 80 in-depth assessments of a range of disabilities including physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning disabilities and sensory impairments.
Stephanie established and developed the Occupational Therapy Department at the Alexandra Private Hospital in Cheadle, Cheshire to provide a specialised service in the areas of orthopaedics, neurology, spinal surgery, terminal illness, amputees and chronic pain management. When Stephanie left the hospital, she had contributed to the development of a highly regarded and successful occupational therapy service.
She taught regarding chronic pain syndrome on a highly successful pain management programme.
Stephanie is extremely well organised and is able to work under pressure. She is a confident communicator, having delivered training and presented at a number of conferences to colleagues and other health professionals.
Qualifications and Membership
- Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT), Liverpool University (1986).
- Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Royal College Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
- BA Geography with Social Ethics, Lancaster (1983).
- Counselling Course (City & Guilds), Manchester (2002).
- Royal College Occupational Therapists – Specialist Section – Independent Practice (RCOTSS-IP).
- Royal College Occupational Therapists – Specialist Section – Older People (RCOTSS-OP).
Career History
Present
Care Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2018-Present
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
East Cheshire NHS Trust
2016-2019
Specialist Advisor to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
2007-Present
Independent Occupational Therapist
Private Practice
2005-2007
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
2002-2005
Senior Occupational Therapist
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
1995-2001
Senior Occupational Therapist
The Alexandra Private Hospital, Cheshire
1995-1996
Senior Occupational Therapist
Stockport NHS
1995
Senior Occupational Therapist
Chorley District Hospital
1994-1995
Senior Occupational Therapist
Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester
1986-1990
Basic Grade Occupational Therapist
Macclesfield District General Hospital