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Ms Alison Gillham

Rehab, Care & Physio Expert MCSP, PG Dip, H Ed
Claimants and DefendantsHome AppointmentsRemote AppointmentsFace to Face AppointmentsPrison Visit AppointmentsCourt AttendanceDesktop Reports18+ Patients

Medico-Legal Experience

Ms Gillham began undertaking medicolegal work in 2013, and has since worked independently through a large national organisation providing rehabilitation, care, and physiotherapy expert reports for both claimant and defendant cases. During this time, she has written approximately 150 reports, covering spinal injuries, amputation, physiotherapy and rehabilitation needs, and housing/transport needs.

She accepts instructions for quantum and care reports.

Ms Gillham specialises in chronic and degenerative pain, with particular experience and interest in Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Phantom limb pain (PLP), Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES), and Fibromyalgia.

Throughout Ms Gillham’s time working as a contractor for a private company supplying an NHS clinic, she has amassed invaluable experience, which is evident in her detailed and timely written reports.

She has written reports for the Court as a Case Manager, chaired case review meetings, and appeared in Court as a Witness of Fact, instructed by the Claimant for a client with complex disability. She has also completed Courtroom Skills Familiarisation training and is able to provide oral evidence in court when required.

Ms Gillham has extensive experience in cases associated with:

Chronic pain, and its impact on mobility and assistance needs, including:

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
  • Neck and back pain (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
  • Widespread pain
  • Chronic primary pain
  • Phantom limb pain (PLP)
  • Persistent pain following soft tissue injuries or fractures
  • Chronic post-surgical pain
  • Fibromyalgia

Rehabilitation and care:

  • Delayed referral to rehabilitation services
  • Work rehabilitation needs
  • Moving and handling
  • Ongoing rehabilitation requirements
  • Long-term rehabilitation planning
  • Vocational rehabilitation needs
  • Past, present, and future care requirements
  • Housing and transport needs:
    • Suitability of current accommodation
    • Costing and specifications of accommodation adaptations
    • Orthotics and prosthetics
    • Wheelchairs and seating
    • Mobility aids and specialist equipment
    • Assistive technology
    • Domestic assistance requirements
  • Cognitive impairment and/or mental health issues affecting care needs/impacting independence
  • Return-to-work planning and sustainability

Quantum reports relating to:

  • Multi-trauma (complex orthopaedic injury)
  • Amputation (upper and lower limbs)
  • Spinal injuries
  • Brachial plexus injury (BPI)
  • Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
  • Associated internal injuries
  • Joint replacements
  • Chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including work-related upper limb disorder
  • Costs for deterioration/adjustment of costs based on the likely outcome of rehabilitation

Physiotherapy:

  • Support needs arising from reduced strength, flexibility, and stamina
  • Physiotherapy-based opinion on care needs attributable to pain
  • Ergonomic equipment for work and home environments following a physiotherapy plan
  • Postural support and seating recommendations
  • Recommendations for escalation/modification of physiotherapy treatment
  • Anticipated duration and frequency of physiotherapy input

Ms Gillham’s report turnaround time is 4-6 weeks.

Clinical Experience

Ms Gillham is based in Sussex and has been a qualified physiotherapist since 1987. She worked at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead prior to undertaking further postgraduate qualifications in Health Education and Health Promotion at the University of Leeds. Ms Gillham has worked in community-based services since that time with a wide variety of client groups, including people with learning disability, chronic physical disability and more recently has developed a specialism in care and rehabilitation for people with chronic pain.

Ms Gillham is the Clinical Director of a community-based service that provides rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain. Ms Gillham takes on a mentoring role, training and supervising fellow therapists. Moreover, she has conducted in excess of 600 assessments and produced reports for the Department for Work and Pensions Access to Work scheme. Additionally, she offers her expertise as a pain specialist for Connect Health Pain Services as an Advanced Practitioner providing assessment and clinical specialist intervention and running Pain Management Programmes.

Throughout her career, Ms Gillham has predominantly worked in the assessment and treatment of individuals in community and workplace settings. She has held senior clinical roles in various multidisciplinary community teams.

Her experience encompasses the assessment and provision of care as a case manager for clients with head injuries. Furthermore, Ms Gillham possesses significant expertise in manual handling and evaluating client equipment and care requirements within this domain.

Ms Gillham has a passion for pain management, rehabilitation, and the ergonomic needs of individuals in a work environment. She maintains her commitment to professional development by actively participating in various training courses and has undertaken a number of medico-legal training days, including Courtroom Experience. She has provided training and given talks at various medico-legal conferences and events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ms Gillham comment on brain and spine injuries?

Yes to spine injuries. Ms Gillham can opine on brain injuries if the extent of the injury is mild, but will need more information.

Can you comment on cerebral palsy?

No, this falls outside of my remit.

Can you comment on amputation?

Yes, I can.

Can you comment on chronic pain?

Yes, I can.

Can you comment on abdominal surgery?

No, this falls outside of my remit.

Can you comment on acute hospital care?

No, this falls outside of my remit.

Can you comment on cases involving obstetric physiotherapy?

No, this would require an obstetric physiotherapist.

Can you comment on rehabilitation post-fire for a burns victim who can comment on treatment and care?

I have no expertise in burn injuries so would not be an appropriate expert in this type of case.

Can you comment on pelvic health?

Women's health physiotherapy falls outside of my expertise.

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