Medico-Legal Experience

Heather Bushell is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with expertise including report writing, rehabilitation plans, and verbal communication, demonstrating specialist knowledge and clinical reasoning. 

Heather brings her extensive therapeutic experience to her growing medico legal practice. 

Clinical Experience

Heather has over 15 years of experience as an occupational therapist, working extensively in the public and private sectors. She has been practising independently full-time since 2017. Heather specialises in complex neurological and catastrophic injuries, cognitive and vocational rehabilitation, and lifestyle interventions. She provides comprehensive functional and standardised assessments to identify the impact of cognitive changes and offers vocational rehabilitation, including work-based assessments and graded return-to-work plans. She uses a whole-person, goal-oriented approach to maximise outcomes for individuals in their homes, communities, and workplaces. She is committed to continuous professional development and has a passion for supporting individuals in areas such as sex, intimacy, and parenting skills after brain injury.

From January 2019 to February 2019, Heather worked as a Locum Specialist Occupational Therapist at Luton and Dunstable Hospital’s Hyperacute Stroke Unit, focusing on stroke patient assessment, treatment, and discharge planning.

Between November 2016 and January 2019, she was a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist at the New Meppershall ABI Unit, handling complex neurological clients. Her duties included physical and cognitive rehabilitation, functional activities training, and providing education and training to patients, families, and staff.

From March 2016 to November 2016, Heather worked with Christchurch Group, managing a mixed caseload of clients with complex needs and analysing clinical, social, and environmental factors.

Earlier roles include Advanced Occupational Therapist at South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (April 2015 – March 2016), Specialist Occupational Therapist at the same trust (July 2012 – March 2015), and Occupational Therapist at the National Brain Injury Centre, Northampton (March 2009 – June 2012), focusing on neurobehavioural rehabilitation and mental health management.

Special Interests

• Neurological conditions
• Traumatic and acquired brain injury
• Vocational rehabilitation including Functional Capacity Evaluations

Memberships of Professional Bodies

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – OT59527
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)
• RCOT Specialist Sections
  • Independent Practice
  • Work
  • Neurological Practice
• Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA)
• British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM)

Further information

Download Ms Bushell’s CV to learn more about her qualifications and experience.