General description of the work Consultant Psychologists undertake
Consultant Psychologists deal with the psychological aspects of mental ill-health. They are involved in the assessment of the extent of impairment of brain function and in the rehabilitation following injury or trauma. They deal with brain injury, post traumatic stress, memory problems and psychological disturbance.


Most common clinical areas / procedures leading to a claim of clinical negligence
• Assessment of patients recalling past abuse and false memories associated with this
• Advice and management provided to patients who have undergone psychological
therapy


Sub-Specialities / Alternative and Additional job titles
The Consultant Psychologist may also be known as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist or a Consultant Neuropsychologist.


Usual Qualifications
The Consultant Psychologist is not normally a medical doctor and the qualifications may vary between different Consultant Psychologists.


Academic Appointments
The Consultant Psychologist may hold a Lectureship or Professorship in Psychology at a University.


Our Experts
The Consultant Psychologists who prepare reports on medical negligence cases on our behalf are all experienced NHS Consultants. They are in active clinical practice and they are experienced at preparing medico-legal reports. They are willing to attend Court in the UK and Ireland provided that they are given enough notice and that their fees and expenses for attending are agreed in advance.
Each of the Consultant Psychologists who prepare reports on our behalf has particular areas of clinical interest within his/her practice and we match each case with the most appropriate Consultant.


The Report
The Consultant Psychologists prepare their Reports for the benefit of the Courts. In other words, they prepare unbiased Reports in order to help the Court to decide the case, rather than to help one side or the other.
The Consultant Psychologists examine all the documentation and details of the case and look at the standard of care that the Client received. They then give their opinion on whether or not the standard of care that the Client received fell below the standard of care he/she should have received.
Where necessary they provide background documentation and information to back-up their opinion.


Documentation required
The most important documentation is the Client’s Hospital, GP and Psychology Consultation Records. This documentation will usually contain their Doctors’ Records, Psychology Records, Medication Records, Nursing Records, Out-Patient Clinic Records and Correspondence.
An account of events by the Client and/or the Client’s family will be of assistance to the Consultant Psychologist. Copies of the Client’s Attendances with their Solicitor will also help to clarify the areas of care that are at issue in the case.


Time-scale for the Report
Once we have confirmation to proceed with the Report the Consultant Psychologists can usually prepare their Reports within 8 to 10 weeks. If a Report is needed urgently we will endeavour to have it prepared sooner than this.


Price of the Report
Once we receive all the documentation we will provide you with a quotation for the price of the Report from the Consultant Psychologist. If you decide to go ahead with the Report we will have it prepared and we will forward it to you on receipt of payment.
If you decide not to go ahead with the Report after receiving the quotation we will return all the documentation to you and there is no charge.


Queries on the Report / Addendums
The Reports from the Consultant Psychologists are usually very clear and give a concise opinion on the standard of care the Client received.
If minor clarifications are needed then these will be provided at no extra cost.
If, after the Report has been completed, additional documentation needs to be examined by the Consultant Psychologist or if additional work needs to be done in order to provide an Addendum to the Report, then there may be an additional charge. If so, we will inform you of this and only proceed with your approval.


Client Examination
The Consultant Psychologists do not normally need to see the Client in order to prepare a Report on the standard of care he/she has received. They can usually prepare their Report from the case notes and other documentation.
If the case does progress and a Report is needed on the Client’s current medical condition and/or prognosis for the future, then the Client may need to be seen by the Consultant Psychologist for an examination and we can make the necessary arrangements.