The beauty of case management is that no two days are ever the same. My clients are of all ages, locations and backgrounds, but they each have one thing in common – they’ve been catastrophically injured in some traumatic way, whether that’s from birth, medical negligence, a car accident or even assault.
As a director and senior case manager for Complex Case Management in Bury, I help individuals and their families deal with the aftermath of such incidents by managing rehabilitation and care packages. These support those affected to maximise their independence and quality of life.
My day usually begins with visiting clients or liaising with team members, solicitors and families. Most of my clients are referred from litigation solicitors, so the first step is always initial assessment. Each case is very different from the last, but they all require case management to be delivered as soon as possible, which means quickly coordinating all the necessary specialists.
To ensure people receive the most suitable care, most of my day is spent working with care providers, many of whom are doing such inspirational work that doesn’t receive anywhere near enough recognition. One such company is Community Life Choices. The specialist homecare provider is helping a client in Lancashire to live independently in their own home, giving them more choice and control over how they are supported.
Over 30 years of working in this sector means I have a network of contacts and can easily bring specialists on board. These include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and dieticians, who work alongside the care teams and help them develop the technical skills needed to cater for each individual.
My involvement with clients doesn’t come to an end once the legal teams have settled the case. Most people require care and support for the rest of their lives, and I love that I get to see the progression and development that takes place as a result of great health and social care.
Later on in the day, my role tends to involve more general case work. In addition to case management, I help to secure statutory funding for clients. This includes meeting with commissioning groups to source funding they don’t already have, as well as gaining additional funding from the NHS or social services.
After work I love spending time with friends and family to unwind. I’ve recently gained the companionship of a gorgeous Chihuahua and she’s a great source of fun and gives me an excuse to walk around the gorgeous countryside.
I’m also a keen fundraiser, having completed the Great North Run for both the Spinal Injuries Association and Headway, which are charities closely associated with my clients.
