Natasha Mulder

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy

Specialisms

Orthopaedic, General Medicine & Surgery, Palliative, Housing Adaptations & Manual Handling

Introduction

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2014 with a BSc Honours Degree from Northampton University and in 2018, I also completed a MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy Degree with Distinction from Salford University. I have significant work experience in occupational therapy across acute, interim, and community services since 2003, including redeployment onto Covid-19 Wards during the pandemic. Since qualifying, I have worked across physical disability, learning disability, older people services, acute settings, residential homes, prison services, and community services. I have also worked in management and enjoyed working alongside colleagues and students to reach their optimum potential. 

My areas of specialism includes moving and handling, orthopaedic surgery (lower limb), palliative care, terminal illness, general care of the elderly / frailty, elderly falls and rehabilitation, general medicine, dementia, and housing adaptations. I gained extensive moving and handling experience whilst working as part of the 'Double Up' Team, promoting and implementing single-handed care with recorded domiciliary care savings, in excess of millions of pounds annually. I currently work for a council in the Discharge to Assess Service, supporting various city hospitals. 

In my current role, I complete occupational therapy assessments and provide treatment for adults in their own homes, care homes, or supported accommodation following hospital discharge. I see adults who often present with multiple, complex co-morbidities, and who live in difficult social situations. My caseload varies with adults faced with physical health difficulties, including, but not limited to, general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics and arthritic conditions who are at risk of experiencing falls. I also see adults undergoing cancer treatment, advanced lung diseases, progressive cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and complications arising from diabetes and amputations, and who are reaching end-of-life care. 

My role involves completing a holistic assessment to determine how the persons medical condition impact on their ability to function, recommending rehabilitation, specialised equipment, minor and major adaptations, and / or advise on suitable accommodation to enable them to live independently and safely. I complete risk assessments and make recommendations to reduce the risk of falls. I assess moving and handling practice, create Moving and Handling Risk Assessments, along with prescribing specialised equipment, whilst demonstrating and implementing safe moving and handling techniques. I also review and recommend formal care packages, ensuring tasks are performed in a dignified manner.

I am bilingual in English and Afrikaans and have excellent communication and written skills.

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.