Diane Kruger

Qualifications

BSc Honours Speech and Language Therapy

Specialisms

• Brain injury
• Swallowing & Communication Disorders
• Alternative Augmentative Communication
• Major Trauma rehabilitation

Introduction

Since qualifying as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2008, I have predominantly worked in specialist brain injury rehabilitation and community neuro-rehabilitation working with acquired and progressive neurological conditions.

During my career I 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.

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. Patients who have suffered major trauma often sustain brain injury, complex polytrauma as well as chest and internal injuries. Therefore I have a good understanding of the injuries themselves and the functional impact these can have over time. 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 with complex decision making.

I provide independent speech and language therapy assessment and treatment, nationally, both remotely and in the person's home. I accept instruction from case managers and participate in multidisciplinary goal setting and meetings. I regularly work with people who have suffered a stroke or a traumatic brain injury and have complex communication and/or swallowing difficulties as a result of this. In addition, I have regularly treated those with cerebral palsy as a result of a birth injury, stammering, voice disorders, swallowing difficulties with no organic cause and people with a diagnosis of dementia. In addition, I have experience assessing for Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC), and regularly provide recommendations and costings for communication aids.

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.

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.