Specialisms
Extensive experience working with children and young adults with:
- Cerebral Palsy.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Acquired and traumatic brain injury and neurological impairment.
- Complex physical disabilities.
- Brachial Plexus Lesions including Erb’s Palsy.
- Congenital conditions and syndromes.
- Global developmental delay and severe learning disabilities.
- Pressure sores.
- Moving and handling.
Clinical Currency Statement
As at November 2023, I am engaged in the role of Clinical Director for Wheel of Health Limited for an average of 160 hours per month.
Specific Injuries Experience
Lucy routinely works with children and young adults who have sustained injuries from birth or following accident. Lucy predominantly works with clients with the most profound and complex of injuries including those with Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, Ataxia Telengectasia, as well as rarer conditions such as Lesch Nyhan Syndrome. She also works with a smaller number of clients with organic conditions, the majority of whom present as neurological in nature. Almost all of Lucy’s clients present with a multitude of presentations which often include associated medical issues and cognitive, learning and communication difficulties.
Lucy is responsible for meeting the 24-hour postural management needs of her clients, and all additional equipment and vehicular needs that enable them to optimise function within the limitations of their disability. Lucy has routinely implemented clinically effective solutions that are both creative and cost efficient thus facilitating her clients to access activity within their daily lives when they had been unable to prior to that point as a result of ineffective or inappropriate equipment provision. Lucy works closely with the care and therapy teams involved with her clients, informing and educating them on the importance of postural care, the protection of body shape, and teaching them on the use and application of the equipment to promote safety and optimize potential.
In addition to her own clinical caseload, Lucy provides a high level of supervision to the clinical team at Wheel of Health. Lucy oversees intervention from initial assessment, throughout equipment trial and provision, and subsequent ongoing review. She works with the ethos that ongoing review is paramount to pre-empt clinical change and provide a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to input.
Employment Profile
Lucy has prepared Rehabilitation Cost Reports for Jacqueline Webb & Co since 2008 and has a particular interest in working with children and young adults with Cerebral Palsy. Lucy is an experienced state registered Occupational Therapist with 18 years of experience specialising in the paediatric setting. She has in-depth expertise particularly with children/adolescents/young adults and their families with complex neurological conditions and severe learning difficulties.
As Director of Wheel of Health Limited, Lucy manages a team of 25 self-employed clinical associates. She has been an independent practitioner for 17 years, working with individuals either during the litigation process or post settlement.
Lucy also manages a highly complex caseload of children and adults with disabilities ranging from profound and multiple learning difficulties, to those with physical disability following trauma. Lucy completes 24-hour postural management assessments and reports, prescription and provision of specialist equipment, assessment for provision of wheelchair accessible vehicles, personal care and manual handling.
Liaison with the individual and their families and close multi-disciplinary working with case managers and other professionals is fundamental to this role. Lucy is involved in the training of support workers and recommendation of appropriate accommodation. Her work ethos strives to maximise independence and ensure intervention is holistic.
Lucy is a committed member of the multi-agency team, and consistently ensures effective communication with professionals, individuals and their families to maximise quality of life and the outcome for the individual.
Qualifications and Membership
- BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, Oxford Brookes (2002).
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
- Member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Royal College Occupational Therapy – Specialist Section – Independent Practice.
- PG Certificate Posture Management for Complex Disabilities – Distinction (2008).
Career History
Present
Expert Witness
Jacqueline Webb & Co Limited
2014-Present
Director/Occupational Therapist/Wheelchair and Seating Specialist
Wheel of Health
2005-2015
Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Treloar School and College, Alton, Hampshire
2004-2005
Senior Occupational Therapist – Rapid Response Team (Community Rehabilitation)
Alton Community Hospital, Alton, Hampshire
2003-2004
Occupational Therapist (various post-graduate rotational roles)
North Hampshire Hospitals