Alexander Heaps

Qualifications

MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Specialisms

• Brain Injuries
• Behavioural & Cognition Treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Introduction

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2009. I worked for 10 years in the NHS, including holding the post of Clinical Specialist OT in Major Trauma at Kings College Hospital and Clinical Specialist OT at the Lishman Unit, a specialist neurobehavioral rehabilitation unit, at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. I also held posts in the areas of acute neuro-rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, hands therapy, critical care and neurological outpatients.

I began working as an independent occupational therapist in brain injury rehabilitation in 2015. I worked as an associate and then a senior associate for Laura Slader Occupational Therapy, primarily in London. I set up my own company in 2022.

In the private sector, I developed a specialism working on medico-legal cases with adults who have persisting cognitive, psychological and behavioural changes, following their brain injury. I have extensive experience working as an occupational therapist on complex cases that require therapy over a number of years, working within highly skilled multidisciplinary teams and working with large support worker packages to implement bespoke approaches to deliver team-based rehabilitation.

I also have extensive experience providing vocational rehabilitation to clients who have experienced a brain injury. This work either consists of working with clients to sustain their work role or locating new, meaningful vocations. I complete vocational assessments and identify new roles that might be suitable. In addition to offering treatment, I have expertise in providing detailed assessment and progress reports, and have good knowledge of the medico-legal process. 

Outside of my clinical role, I have completed my MSc in Advanced occupational therapy practice. My thesis was a systematic review and titled: How does occupational therapy literature conceptualise executive functions and how this influences occupational therapy assessment?

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 Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.