Screening report
A concise preliminary view on whether anaesthetic care fell below a reasonable standard, to help decide whether a claim should proceed.
Medico-legal reports in obstetric anaesthesia
Independent expert opinion on anaesthesia and analgesia in childbirth.
I am a practising NHS Consultant Obstetric Anaesthetist at [Hospital / Trust]. I prepare CPR Part 35-compliant reports on breach of duty and causation for claimant and defendant solicitors, and assist coroners in maternity-related inquests.
[Professional headshot]
RegistrationGMC [number] · Specialist Register, Anaesthetics
QualificationsFRCA · [other degrees / diplomas]
Expert witness trainingCardiff University Bond Solon Expert Witness Certificate [year]
GovernanceICO [reference] · Medico-legal indemnity [provider]
About
I have been a consultant anaesthetist since [year], with regular sessions on the delivery suite at [hospital], a unit delivering around [number] births a year. My clinical work covers labour analgesia, anaesthesia for operative delivery, and the care of women with complex medical conditions in pregnancy.
Alongside clinical practice I [teaching, governance or guideline role — e.g. lead the unit’s obstetric anaesthesia guidelines and review serious incidents].
I accept a limited number of instructions each year so that every case receives careful, unhurried attention, and I report only on care that falls within my current practice.
Current roles
- Consultant Anaesthetist, [Trust]
- [Obstetric anaesthesia lead / role]
- [Education or governance role]
Memberships
- Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association
- Association of Anaesthetists
- Royal College of Anaesthetists
- [Expert Witness Institute]
Areas of expertise
I report on incidents from [year] onwards, the period covered by my consultant practice.
I report on
- Labour epidural analgesia, including inadequate or failed blocks
- Remifentanil PCA and other systemic labour analgesia
- Neuraxial and general anaesthesia for caesarean section
- Intraoperative pain during caesarean section
- Accidental awareness under general anaesthesia
- Post-dural puncture headache and its management
- Neurological complications of neuraxial blockade
- Airway management and aspiration in obstetrics
- Anaesthetic care in obstetric haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia
- Consent and information-giving after Montgomery
- Maternal collapse and obstetric high-dependency care
Outside my expertise
- CTG interpretation and obstetric decision-making
- Midwifery standards of care
- Neonatal injury, including causation of cerebral palsy
- Chronic pain medicine
- Cardiac and paediatric anaesthesia
If a case falls outside my expertise I will say so promptly and, where I can, suggest a suitable colleague.
Reports and services
Claimant, defendant and single joint expert instructions accepted. Expedited reports are available by arrangement.
Breach of duty and causation
A full report on standard of care and, where relevant, causation, prepared in accordance with CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35.
Written questions
Answers to Part 35 questions put on my report by any party, within the timescale set by the court.
Joint statements
Experts’ discussions and joint statements with the opposing anaesthetic expert.
Conferences with counsel
In person or by video, with time to review the papers beforehand.
Court and inquest
Giving evidence at trial, and assisting HM Coroner in maternity-related inquests.
Fees
| Screening report | Fixed fee £[x] |
| Breach and causation report | £[x] per hour, usually £[x]–£[x] |
| Questions, joint statements, conferences | £[x] per hour |
| Court or inquest attendance | £[x] per day |
| Legal aid | [Accepted at LAA rates / not accepted] |
A written fee estimate is provided before work begins. Cancellation terms for court attendance are set out in the terms of business.
How to instruct
- 1Send a brief outline, the names of the parties and the hospital involved, so I can check for conflicts of interest.
- 2I confirm availability, any conflicts and a fee estimate within [2] working days.
- 3Send your letter of instruction with paginated, indexed records, preferably electronic and by secure transfer.
- 4Your report is delivered within the agreed timescale, and I am happy to discuss it once you have read it.
Independence and professional standards
My duty is to the court
My overriding duty is to the court, whoever instructs me. I follow CPR Part 35, the GMC’s guidance on providing expert evidence, and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ guidance on acting as an expert witness.
In current practice
I work on the labour ward every week. My medico-legal work is included in my annual appraisal and revalidation, and is covered by specific professional indemnity.
Your data
Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office ([reference]). Records are stored encrypted and securely destroyed when a case closes. See the privacy notice.
Send an instruction
For new instructions, conflict checks or questions about a report, please contact my medico-legal secretary.
- Telephone
- [secretary’s number]
- Secretary
- [Name]
- Correspondence
- [Postal address]
Starting an instruction
So I can check for conflicts of interest, please include:
- whether you act for the claimant, the defendant or both parties
- the names of the parties and the hospital or trust involved
- the date of the incident and a brief outline
- the type of report you need and any court deadlines
Please do not send medical records by email at this stage. I will arrange secure transfer once instructed.
The button opens a pre-filled email in your mail app. If it does not, write to [medicolegal@domain.co.uk].