Immediate Needs Assessment Consultants
Partners
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Rachel Bush RGNRachel Bush, RGN, is a partner of Bush & Company. Rachel is a spinal nurse specialist with over 20 years of experience. Rachel manages the team of expert witnesses and case managers and has been trained as an expert witness, including report writing and courtroom skills. |
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Karen Burgin RGNKaren Burgin, RGN, has over 20 year experience in nursing and is a specialist in neurology. In her role as Case Manager, she has organised and implemented a range of care and support packages to clients with a broad range of catastrophic disabilities, including brain injury, children with cerebral palsy and more recently spinal cord injury. Karen Burgin has a particular interest and level of experience in the care management of teenagers with acquired brain injury, particularly in relation to education and behavioural issues. |
Nurses
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Anna Brown RGNAnna Brown, RGN, has extensive experience in a variety of physical disabilities including spinal cord injury, severe head injury, multiple sclerosis and Huntington's Chorea. Her main interest lies with the long term management of clients with disabilities and she joined Bush & Company Rehabilitation LLP as Case Manager and nursing expert. |
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Tracey Clarke RGNTracey Clarke is a Registered General Nurse with in-depth and extensive neurological experience. Tracey has most recently worked as a Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She taught on the Neurological Nursing Degree course and developed training packages for ward staff and voluntary organisations. Tracey is a member of the RCN, RCN Rehabilitation Forum, UKMSSA, Headway and MS Trust. |
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Ann Johnson RGNAnn Johnson, RGN, has gained a wide range of experience with disability, particularly within the field of child disabilities. This has included those with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries, as well as acquired brain injury. |
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Glynis Kenny Bachelor of Nursing RGN RHVGlynis Kenny, Bachelor of Nursing; RGN RHV,has 26 years experience of nursing. Her experience lies in the field of spinal cord injury and other major multiple injury cases. She is a member of MASCIP (Multidisciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals) and is also a member of the SIA (Spinal Injuries Association). |
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Ruth Oakes RGNRuth Oakes, RGN, has 16 years experience and expertise in Spinal Cord Injury. Having specialised in S.C.I, she worked her way from being newly qualified to becoming a ward manager (sister). For many years, she has been involved with formal and informal teaching on the treatment, care and complications of S.C.I, to small groups and in regional training days |
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Nikki Ounsworth Pg Cert BA CSP RGNNikki Ounsworth has extensive neurological rehabilitation experience. Nikki is experienced in the medico-legal aspects of patient care and works closely with solicitors and insurance companies, whilst advocating for patients needs, ensuring they remain at the centre of their care. |
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Sally Plumb RGN MSc BSc DipHeSally Plumb, RGN, has 15 years neurology experience, which spans critical, acute, rehabilitation, palliative and community care. Her work within the Palliative Care Service required scrupulous and sensitive assessment of physical, psychological and cognitive difficulties, with the ability to make comprehensive and appropriate referral to a range of providers. |
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Janet Smith RGN Dip HeJanet Smith is a registered General Nurse, who trained at the Countess of Chester Hospital. During her time spent working in Critical Care, Janet cared for patients with a multitude of conditions, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries and complex orthopaedic injuries and amputations. Janet now combines her work as a Critical Care Nurse with the undertaking of Immediate Needs Assessments under the Rehabilitation Code of Best Practice and Case Management for Bush and Company Rehabilitation LLP. |
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Bernadette Starkey RGNBernadette Starkey is a Registered General Nurse who has worked extensively in assessment, care planning, implementation, evaluation and commissioning care. Her experience has included complex assessments and care planning, facilitation of multidisciplinary meetings in mental health, the acute sector and in various community settings. She has worked with legal colleagues developing reports for cases leading to Judicial Review and Best Interests. She has also acted as an independent advisor for Primary Care Trusts on complex assessments. |
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Sue Elizabeth Williams RGN BSc DipN PGCE RNTSue Elizabeth Williams has 30 years experience of nursing. After qualifying, she worked for 16 years in an acute medical environment at a university hospital, after which she progressed to the field of specialist rehabilitation (stroke, orthopaedic & amputee rehabilitation). In 1999, Sue Williams became the ward manager of the spinal injuries centre at Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff. In 2002, Sue Williams’ interest in education led to a position within the school of nursing at Cardiff University, where Sue teaches extensively on the spinal injury course. |
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Marian Wilson RGNMarian Wilson is a Registered General Nurse with a wide range of experience. She trained at The Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead.Most recently, Marian Wilson has been working as a case manager within the National Spinal Injuries Centre. Her role is to work within the multidisciplinary team, coordinating the rehabilitation and discharge programme of her clients. This includes liaising with PCT and Social Services for funding for care packages, applying for adapted accommodation and dealing with benefit issues. Marian Wilson joined Bush & Company Rehabilitation LLP in 2008, utilising her extensive skill and knowledge base within the field of Spinal Cord Injury to prepare Immediate Needs Assessment Reports and provide Case Management Services. |
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Judith Withers RGN BA (Hons) MScJudith Withers is a Registered General Nurse with extensive neurological and neurosurgical experience. Following the introduction of Modern Matrons, Judith Withers was appointed as Matron of Neurosciences and she played a major part in relocating services from the Radcliffe Infirmary to the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital. |
Occupational Therapists
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Jackie Bevan BSc OT MScJackie Bevan qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Liverpool University in 1994. Since then she has worked as a hospital Occupational Therapist, gaining experience in Elderly mentally Ill, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, General Medicine and Spinal Cord Injury. She has worked within the field of spinal cord injury since 1995 and as a senior clinician within the field since 1999. She gained an MSc in Health Practice in 2005 from Salford University, specialising in Neurological Dysfunction. |
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Helen Bird BSc (Hons) SROTHelen Bird, BSc (Hons) SROT, gained her BSc (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1995, from Salford University College. She is a member of BAOT and HPC. She passed her MSc. Module in Paediatric Occupational Therapy in 2000, and has worked as a Paediatric OT since then. |
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Karen Brown BSc (Hons) OTKaren Brown qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1999 at Northampton University with a BSc (Hons) in OT. Following qualification, Karen gained experience in a physcial health setting as part of a rotational post, this included trauma and orthopaedics, medical and surgery wards, urology and inpatient rehabilitation. Prior to training as an occupational therapist, Karen trained and worked as a nurse. |
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Daniel Cluff BSc (Hons) OTDaniel Cluff, BSc (Hons) OT, is an Occupational Therapist registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC), who qualified in 1997 after gaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. He is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) and a member of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section in Independent Practice (COTSS). Daniel Cluff is also an affiliate member of the Case Management Society UK (CMS-UK). |
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Miranda Cook BSc OTMiranda Cook, BSc OT, has extensive experience in acting as a key worker for patients to establish a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme and also with regard to discharge planning. In her capacity as an Occupational Therapist, she has experience in assessing aids needed for daily living and also for minor and major adaptations. |
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Clare Ellerington BSc (Hons) OTClare Ellerington, BSc, OT, has gained in-depth experience of working with children and adults with complex physical disabilities, working in the UK and Australia. She is a trained Manual Handling Trainer and is skilled in people handling and risk assessment. |
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Sue Harman Dip COTSue Harman, Dip COT, is experienced in working with people who have suffered traumatic brain injury, spinal injury and major orthopaedic injury. Her expertise means she can provide cost effective, independent advice and services for clients, their families and solicitors. Sue also provides reports for housing associations, charities and individuals regarding appropriate equipment provision and adaptations to promote independence and safety. |
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Siobhan Ireland OTSiobhan Ireland is a Senior Occupational Therapist registered with the Health Professionals Council with extensive experience in neuro-rehabilitation and acute neuro assessment. She completed a Bachelor Degree of Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland, Australia in 2001 and subsequently specialised through her work experience in the field of neurosciences. |
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Emma Merriman OTEmma Merriman qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1995 at the University of Liverpool. She is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists, an active member of the Specialist Section for Neurological Practice and a member of the Specialist Section for Independent Practitioners. |
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Wendy Ruffle BSc (Hons) OTWendy Ruffle, BSc OT, has developed her skills in the assessment, intervention and review of adults with a variety of physical and psychological disabilities. |
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Yvonne Spijkerman BhSc (Hons) OTYvonne Spijkerman, BhSc OT, has a wide range of experience in both the UK and The Netherlands. Next to her work for the NHS, Yvonne has been involved in a variety of disability assessments for example nerve compression in lower back and neck, traumatic stress syndrome, hand/finger injury, sciatica. These assessments include a plan for rehabilitation/further treatment and a return to work. |
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Jo Turnbull BhSc (Hons) OTJo Turnbull, BHSc OT, has expertise assessing clients with complex and long term disabilities, in relation to their equipment, environmental, rehabilitation and work needs. |
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Gail Vazzoler DIP COT SROTGail Vazzoler is a registered Occupational Therapist whose major achievement was the introduction of an Occupational Therapy Service within the pulmonary rehabilitation service and for clients with Chronic Fatigue syndrome. In 2006, Gail Vazzoler was asked to join a Department of Health working group to develop service models to complement NICE guidelines for work with CFS clients. Gail Vazzoler is committed to continued professional education and supervises junior therapy staff and students within her current NHS role, combined with the undertaking of Immediate Needs Assessments under the Rehabilitation Code of Best Practice. |
Physiotherapists
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Sue Paddison Grad Dip Phys MCSPSue Paddison, Grad Dip Phys MCSP,offers comprehensive experience in working with people with spinal cord injury from the acute stage immediately post injury through the early rehabilitation and onto reintegration back into the community. She has extensive experience of peripheral nerve injury and brachial plexus management, as well as diverse skills in musculo-skeletal conditions |
Specialist Architect Services
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Brian Towers Dip Arch (Oxford) ARIBA NRACBrian Towers, Dip Arch (Oxford) ARIBA NRAC,has considerable experience in the design of housing and the preparation of evidence for personal injury and medical negligence claims regarding permanent disabilities. The disabilities for which Mr Towers has direct experience include paraplegia, tetraplegia, brain damage, cerebral palsy, amputation, visual impairment and blindness |
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Jane Toplis BA (Hons) Manch RIBA NRACJane Toplis has worked as an architect on residential and public buildings before specialising in accessible design and consultancy since 1997. Jane has worked with major companies who specialise in access and architecture. |