Medico-Legal Experience

Dr Cristina Russo is a Consultant in Stroke and Acute Medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience, specialising in complex neurovascular and acute medical cases. She provides expert witness opinions on thrombolysis, thrombectomy, intracerebral haemorrhage, stroke misdiagnosis (including stroke mimics and posterior circulation strokes), and complications of anticoagulation. In acute medicine, she covers sepsis, pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, subdural haemorrhage, and abdominal emergencies, particularly where diagnostic or systemic failures are involved. 

Dr Russo has particular expertise in hyperacute stroke care, advanced imaging interpretation, and structured clinical decision-making. Her medico-legal reports are impartial, clearly reasoned, and evidence-based. Drawing on her experience as Deputy Head of Safety and former Clinical Lead, she provides balanced insight into both clinical practice and wider governance or systemic issues. She has currently completed Bond Solon expert witness training and has undertaken specialist courses in report writing and giving evidence.

Clinical Experience

Dr Cristina Russo is a Consultant in Stroke and Acute Medicine at Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust, where she has served since 2017. She provides expert clinical care in the acute management of stroke and complex medical patients, with specific expertise in thrombolysis, advanced stroke imaging, and coordinated multidisciplinary planning. Her role spans both the hyperacute stroke unit and general acute medicine, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of emergency and inpatient care pathways.

Dr Russo has held a number of senior leadership positions within the Trust, including Clinical Lead for Acute Medicine and Transformation Lead for Technology in Medicine. She currently serves as Deputy Head of Safety, overseeing serious incident investigations, mortality reviews, and the implementation of system-wide patient safety initiatives such as Patient Safety Risk Factor Identification (PSRFI). She is regularly involved in the review of coroner cases and unexpected deaths, contributing to learning processes and governance development at Trust level.

Alongside her clinical work, Dr Russo maintains an active role in academic medicine and research. She has contributed to over 110 peer-reviewed publications and has been involved in a wide range of clinical trials, including work in stroke, endocrinology and COVID-19. She holds a PhD in Gerontology and a postgraduate diploma in Stroke Medicine. She has supported national and international research efforts, including the RECOVERY and SELECT trials, and continues to lead in the integration of research into clinical practice.

Special Interests

Dr Russo has specialist interests in stroke medicine, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, stroke mimics, and complex acute deterioration. She has extensive experience in system-level governance, serious incident reviews, and promoting safety culture within multidisciplinary teams. Her work bridges frontline clinical expertise with strategic oversight, supporting systemic learning and improved outcomes across acute care pathways.

Stroke Care & Cerebrovascular Events

• Administration and timing of thrombolysis

• Appropriateness and outcomes of thrombectomy

• Management of intracerebral haemorrhage

• Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of stroke and stroke mimics

• Complications following discontinuation of anticoagulation

• Posterior circulation strokes and missed early signs

• Carotid and vertebral dissection management
• Delayed or inappropriate use of advanced imaging

Systemic & Acute Medical Conditions

• Sepsis and its complications, including delayed recognition

• Pulmonary embolism, particularly unrecognised or late-presenting cases

• Covid related conditions
• Acute renal failure
• Cardiac insufficiency
• Aortic dissection – misdiagnosis or delayed intervention

• Intestinal obstruction or ischaemia and abdominal emergencies

• Subdural haemorrhage, including delayed diagnosis and management


Acute & Emergency Pathways

• Failures in triage or escalation of care

• Evaluation of ED assessment and acute medicine decisions

Memberships of Professional Bodies

• General Medical Council (GMC) – Full registration (Ref. No: 6146008)

Further information

Download Dr Russo’s CV to learn more about her qualifications and experience.