This month we introduce Occupational Therapy Expert Witness, Alexander Heaps, who became an...
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RN, BSc (Hons) Midwifery, LLM Medical Law and Ethics
I started my career as an adult nurse in 2005 before commencing my maternity training and qualifying as a registered midwife in 2009. Since then, I have worked predominantly on Delivery Suite. Completing an enhanced maternity course has enabled me to care for women who fall into high risk categories such as those with pre- eclampsia, sepsis, antepartum and postpartum haemorrhage and premature labour. Throughout my career I have developed skills such as cannulation, suturing, catheterisation and medication administration. As well as a vast amount of experience in triage, induction of labour, safeguarding, bereavement, intrauterine transfer and labour care. All of which I still have exposure to daily.
I have been a Delivery Suite Team Leader since 2018. During this time, I have developed my skills even further within the intrapartum care setting. Working closely with the multidisciplinary team I am able to contribute to care plans and identify areas of concern. Throughout my time as a team leader, I have taken the lead on numerous obstetric emergencies, including cord prolapse, breech presentation and shoulder dystocia. I attend PROMPT annually to ensure that my skills within this area are up to date. I hold a current certification in Newborn Life Support (NLS) and have participated in numerous cases of resuscitation of the newborn. I have also undertaken training in ‘Birmingham Symptom Specific Obstetric Triage Systems (BSOTS). This improves the safety of mother and babies as well as the management of triage departments. I have a significant amount of experience in foetal monitoring and CTG interpretation, which is a skill I use in my daily practice. In 2021 I attended a CTG masterclass and I attend annual CTG study days.
The majority of my working hours fall outside sociable hours and as a result I am often the only Band 7 in the maternity unit and therefore oversee the activity in all areas including community. This has given me the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in escalation in periods of high activity. Following completion of the ‘Supporting Learning and Assessment in Practice’ (SLAIP) module I have been able to mentor and assess student midwives, provide preceptorship to newly qualified midwives and more recently international midwives. I have found this very rewarding and have enjoyed watching these professionals grow in confidence and competence.
I have recently completed a LLM in Medical Law and Ethics. As someone who has always had a curious interest in the law this has helped me to bridge the gap between law and medicine. It has equipped me with greater skills in research and attention to detail. It has also enhanced my knowledge on areas such as consent and capacity which has been useful within my own practice.
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.