David Baker

MRes, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Orthopaedics

Introduction
I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2003 and since 2004 I have been working within the specialist field of hand therapy. I have a range of highly developed skills in treatment and assessment of a variety of hand related conditions, and have recently gained a Masters of Research in Clinical Practice and am working towards Level III accreditation by the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT).

In my current role as a Band 7 Occupational Therapist, I work in a high throughput acute burns and plastics department responsible for establishing treatment programmes for patients who have sustained acute trauma or undergone elective surgery. Referrals are mainly sourced through the hospital's regional plastics hand trauma unit, but also from orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, GP’s and therapy colleagues. The injuries I work with range from tendons, bones, nerves, and soft tissues to Dupuytrens disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), arthritic conditions and scar management amongst others. Both standardised and non-standardised assessments are used to establish outcomes.

I am competent to a high standard in various treatment modalities including static and dynamic splinting using both thermoplastics and neoprene, joint mobilisation, ultrasound, pressure garment prescription as well as general hand therapy specific modalities. I also hold responsibility for triaging referrals, running a therapy led clinic and engaging in close liaison with the surgical team, as well as clinical supervision and team development.

While working in this role I took a one year’s secondment as a result of successfully gaining a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded studentship to undertake a Masters of Research in Clinical Practice. This involved undertaking a work based research study investigating treatment factors around proximal interphalangeal joint contracture resolution. I also have a bank staff role, providing hand therapy services within the private healthcare sector where I am responsible for the assessment and treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal hand related injuries.

I regularly supervise junior members of staff and regularly supervise students on placements. I also provide regular in-service training sessions to the team and have undertaken poster presentations.

In addition, I undertake medico legal work for Somek and Associates. I accept 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
British Association of Occupational Therapists
British Association of Hand Therapists

Professional Education
Registration Number: HPC: OT37662
2010     Masters of Research in Clinical Practice (Merit), St George's University of London
2003     Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) Class 2.1, Oxford Brookes University