Diane Kruger

Qualifications

BSc Honours Speech and Language Therapy

Specialisms

• Brain injury
• Swallowing & Communication Disorders
• Alternative Augmentative Communication

Introduction

Since qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2008, I have predominantly worked in specialist brain injury rehabilitation and community rehabilitation.

In my current NHS role, as Major Trauma Rehabilitation Coordinator, I oversee and coordinate multi -speciality teams to ensure timely and quality care for all people who experience major trauma. I act as case manager and advocate for patient and family in their treatment, ensure smooth transitions between hospitals and community, oversee the rehabilitation plan and support the MDT in complex decision making.

During my career I have worked at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, where they accept patients nationally with severe and complex brain injury, including disorders of consciousness. I also have experience in the National Hospital for Neurology/Neurosurgery which is a national centre for excellence in neurological rehabilitation. I have extensive experience with all types of acquired brain injury and progressive neurological conditions from initial differential diagnosis to rehabilitation into the community.

My latter experience involves integrating people under 65 back into the community following an acquired brain injury with a focus on returning to work and self management.

I have highly specialist skills in assessment and treatment of all swallowing and communication disorders including; tracheostomy management, videofluoroscopy assessment, cognitive communication disorder, aphasia, dysarthria and specific skills in alternative and augmentative communication. My clinical reasoning skills are advanced and thorough.

In addition, I have experience assessing for Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), and regularly provide recommendations and costings for communication aids.

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 witness and can provide clear, concise, and timely communication both written and spoken.