Our Experts
Kathleen Dean
BA, RN, Dip N, ONC, Cert ED
Orthopaedics, Neurology, Care of the Elderly, Deceased / Loss of Service
Introduction
I qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1977 and I am currently the Clinical Director for an independent care and case management organisation, maintaining my Case Management and nursing expertise working with clients requiring complex care packages in the community, many of whom require domiciliary ventilation. I also support less experienced case managers in their role and manage the Clinical Governance function within the company This role enables me to combine my extensive management, clinical and educational skills in this field of care.
I specialised in accident and emergency early in my career and then spinal cord injury. At the RNOH I became the Senior Nurse responsible for nursing services on the Spinal injury Unit and was subsequently appointed as Community Liaison Nurse, involved in setting up complex home care packages for patients with multiple disabilities. In 1990, I was appointed as Nurse Tutor in orthopaedic and spinal nursing at the RNOH and was instrumental in developing the post registration specialist spinal injuries nursing course and in 1995 became Senior Lecturer at London South Bank University, until 2005.
I joined Somek and Associates in 2001 as a Nursing Care and Case Management expert, since when I have written many medico-legal reports, for both liability and quantum purposes, following instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors and Insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.
Professional Affiliations
♦ Spinal Injury Teacher's Special Interest Group (founder member 1989 to present)
♦ Multidisciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injuries Professionals (Treasurer 1997 - 2003 and founder member 1997 to present)
♦ Royal College of Nursing
♦ RCN Special Interest Groups in Rehabilitation; Education; History of Nursing; Complementary Therapies and Ageing
♦ Society of Orthopaedic Nursing (Secretary: London Group – 1992 / 96; Exec. committee member 2004 - 2005
♦ Case Management Society UK
Professional Education
1995 Certificate in Education, University of Westminster, Harrow
1994 ENB A29 Effective Practitioner, University of Luton
1994 BA Health Studies, University of Luton
1992 Diploma in Nursing (Lond), Polytechnic of Central London, Harrow
1985 C&G 730 FETC, Hendon College of Further Education
1984 ENB 371 (Spinal Lesions Nursing), Stoke Mandeville Hospital
1979 Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore
1977 Registered Nurse, Bedford General Hospital