Rachel Woolcomb

I qualified as an occupational therapist in 1992 and have been employed in a varied career as an occupational therapist since.  I have worked at a senior level in the field of complex disability and specifically neurological impairment since 1999. I have specialist knowledge and skills in the provision of occupational therapy assessment and intervention, including rehabilitation, posture management, pain management and tissue viability. I also have extensive experience of working with adults and young people, who experience psychological ill health due to the long term consequences of their illness or the impact of sudden traumatic injury or disability.

I now work in independent practice providing a wide range of occupational therapy interventions to children and adults who have experienced neurological impairment following a brain or spinal cord injury and those who have sustained traumatic life changing orthopaedic and psychological injuries. I have experience of working with people with complex pain conditions and functional neurological disorders, and often work with people who have complex care packages. I also have clinical experience in the fields of palliative care, continence management and frailty. Through the assessment of an individual's functional abilities I am able to identify their requirements for care, further therapies, equipment and accommodation requirements/adaptations. 

I am the Independent Practice representative on the Publications Group at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, having previously been the Physical Health representative and then chair of the group between 2007 and 2010. I have published in the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. I provide bespoke training and course delivery across a range of subjects. I am an accredited user of, and trainer for, Talking Mats, a communication and thinking tool, which enables people to organise their thoughts and express their views.

I have a Postgraduate Certificate in Posture Management for people with severe and complex disability. 

I accept medico-legal instructions from Claimant and Defendant solicitors and act as a Single Joint Expert. I have undergone training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to Expert Witnesses.