• University of Exeter Diploma in Occupational Therapy (1991).
• Registered Occupational Therapist with Health and Social Care Professions Council.
• Post Graduate Certificate in Managing Health and Social Care.
• APPLE Accreditation – Fieldwork Educator.
• BABICM Membership.
• CMSUK Membership.

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Rachel is a lead case manager and has 10 years’ experience with CCMS. She has 32 years of post-qualifying experience as an Occupational Therapist. She initially worked with adults and children with physical disabilities / physical health needs across both the acute, rehabilitation and community sectors within the NHS. She moved into independent practice in 2013 and followed the CCMS Pathway for the development of casemanagers. She now case manages several clients, both adult and paediatric.  She understands the litigation needs in relation to both personal injury and medical negligence claims as well as wrongful births. Alongside her case management she undertakes medico legal reports for both the defendant and claimant.

Rachel can provide case management for the following clients:

• Spinal injuries all levels (Paediatric and Adult).
• Traumatic Brain injury (Paediatric Young Adults and Adults) to include Walking Wounded / High Level Physical Functional Difficulties / Cognitive Difficulties / Those with complex care needs and in PDOC or a minimally conscious state.
• Cerebral Palsy (Paediatric and Adult).
• Stroke.
• Progressive Neurological Diseases.
• Respiratory Diseases / Mesothelioma / COPD / PulmonaryEmbolism / Carcinoma.
• Palliative Care.
• Learning disabilities (Paediatric and Adult).
• Elderly care.
• Orthopaedic Injuries (Paediatric and Adult).
• Amputees (Paediatric and Adult).

Additionally, Rachel regularly undertakes:

• Preceptorship and support to case managers on the CCMS casemanagement pathway.
• Attends CCMS development and governance meetings.
• Cognitive Assessments and provides Rehabilitation Support Programmes.
• 24-hour posture and Joint Protection Management Assessments.
• Moving and Handling Assessments.
• Management of Adaptations and Fixed / Specialist EquipmentProvision.
• Close working with all parties involved including the client, family, independent and statutory bodies and support workers to ensure a coordinated and proactive positive outcome for the client.
• Sourcing independent therapy and care providers to meet the client’s needs and recruiting directly employed support staff.
• Liaison with statutory services regarding funding for Equipment, Continuing Health Care and Social Care funding including assessments, appeals and management of Personal Health Budgets.
• Liaison with Education providers and participation in the EHCP process.

Rachel’s clinical expertise is working with adults and children with a neurological condition, but she has the skills to work with individuals with other physical or psychological needs. Rachel’s particular area of interest is in cognitive assessment and rehabilitation for which she has completed several post graduate courses and supported colleagues in this area of practice; In particular, the mobile individual with cognitive and psychological impairment. She has successfully supported many clients with complex cognitive needs to live in the community with varying levels of support. 

Rachel’s clinical skills supports her in her case management role. She has worked as a Neuro Occupational Therapist with adults with acquired neurological conditions from acute stages through inpatient rehabilitation and into the community. This includes working with individuals who have suffered a stroke, brain injury and have progressive neurological conditions.

In recent years, Rachel worked with a mixed caseload in a community setting, from palliative care through to enabling clients with long term conditions to optimise their function and improve their quality of life. Rachel has skills in the assessment of seating and 24-hour posture management for clients with highly complex physical needs, moving and handling and has knowledge of a wide range of adaptive equipment and community resources. She can deliver interventions to enable individuals to manage the symptoms of their condition including relaxation, anxiety management, fatigue management and joint protection.

Rachel is passionate about working with clients to explore their goals across the spectrum of functioning and can utilise a range of skills to address these be it activities of daily living, work or leisure activities. She will undertake the necessary risk assessments of doing such activities and document clear care plans for the implementation of these programmes. Rachel can communicate across all levels and develop support teams to implement the rehabilitation goals.

Rachel has experience of teaching and supporting others to learn and implement therapeutic programmes. In recent years, she has developed skills normally undertaken by the local authority Occupational Therapists including minor adaptations and fixed / specialist equipment provision. This includes access ramping and bathroom adaptations.  

At a management level, Rachel has led a team, provided support and supervision, managed attendance and a budget. This has included recruitment and selection, implementing policies and procedures and developing the service provided. These skills have transferred easily into managing support teams and MDT’s.

She has also had clinical experience of working in mental health of older people, musculo – skeletal conditions and hand therapy.

Rachel maintains her clinical skills and knowledge through a variety of CPD events including personal reading, training and study days, peer supervision and reflection on her practice. She is a committed individual with excellent time management skills, always striving to do the best for her clients and ever mindful on the limitations that are required to work within.  

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