Medico-Legal Experience

Suzi Kerrell-Vaughan is a highly skilled expert witness Occupational Therapist with extensive experience supporting patients with neurological needs. Suzi brings her extensive therapeutic experience to her growing medico legal practice.

Clinical Experience

Since 2018, Suzi has worked as the Midlands Lead Occupational Therapist at a community-based independent provider of neurorehabilitation services. In this role, she collaborates closely with case managers and solicitors on medicolegal cases, providing expert occupational therapy for clients with complex neurological issues. Suzi performs initial assessments, including risk assessments, and develops, reviews, and evaluates treatment plans based on the latest evidence. She manages cases independently, supporting her clients to maximise their potential and return to valued activities in the home, community, or workplace. Suzi coordinates staff, offers support and supervision, and provides training to families and care teams. She also monitors service quality and customer satisfaction, leading improvements where needed.

From 2015 to 2018, Suzi worked as the Therapy Lead and Lead Occupational Therapist at Badby Park, Neurological Rehabilitation, Elysium. In this position, she provided clinical leadership and managed an interdisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care through appraisals, reflective practice, and team meetings. Suzi was responsible for resource management based on therapy needs and aligning the service with national guidelines and quality standards. Her clinical work spanned neuro rehab, progressive conditions, and complex care, where she provided safe, evidence-based interventions, including specialist assessments and goal planning. Suzi’s advanced skills included managing complex postural needs, fabricating splints for severe spasticity, and developing a new therapy pathway for PDOC in line with best practice guidelines.

Earlier in her career, Suzi worked as an Advanced Occupational Therapist at the Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU) in Leamington Spa, NHS, from 2004 to 2015. Here, she ensured appropriate and specialist assessment, treatment, and discharge planning in a busy national Level 1 neuro-rehab unit. She gained significant experience in managing complex physical and cognitive needs, particularly for clients in PDOC and those requiring 24-hour postural and positioning support. Suzi used a goal-focused approach and outcome measures to demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions, supporting clients throughout their in-patient rehabilitation. Her responsibilities included liaising with commissioners, supporting capacity assessments, preparing reports, chairing review meetings, conducting audits, and mentoring junior staff.

Prior to this, Suzi held positions as a Senior Occupational Therapist at Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust from 2001 to 2004 and as an Occupational Therapist at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital NHS Trust from 1999 to 2001.

Special Interests

• Acquired Brain Injury
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Functional Neurological Disorder
• Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness
• Stroke
• Progressive Neurological Conditions
• Polytrauma
• Adults and Young People

Memberships of Professional Bodies

• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – Neurological Practice (SSNP)

Further information

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