I am happy to provide reports on most obstetric & gynaecological matters. I would not be able to advise on complex antenatal diagnosis, complex laparoscopic surgery, gynae-oncology, gynae-urology or assisted conception/infertility. I have a particular interest in road traffic accidents in pregnancy, HIV and Hepatitis B in pregnancy, and symphysis pubis dysfunction. I have prepared a large number of reports concerning obstetric issues in cerebral palsy cases.
My usual fees are £160.00 per hour for preparing the report. Secretarial and other routine expenses are included. Subsequent further work, conferences, etc. would be charged at the same rates, court appearances at standard rates. Travel expenses would be additional as would travelling time (travelling time is charged at half-rate). For face to face conferences I charge the first two hours (more if the conference is longer than two hours) at full rate and then any remaining travelling time at half-rate.
Please note I also have good quality (ISDN or IP) video conferencing facilities in my home office.
Should any conference be requested and then cancelled or postponed, I would reserve the right to charge a fee, unless sufficient notice were given and where genuine loss was incurred.
For conferences I usually travel by train. I assume most conferences will last about two hours and therefore charge the first two hours of any conference trip at my full hourly rate even if the conference is shorter than two hours, with the balance of any travelling time at the lower rate.
Items requiring to be signed for should be directed to my work address, but correspondence can also be addressed to my home address (3/5 High Street, Eaton Bray, Dunstable, Beds., LU6 2DN., tel. no: 01525-222849). Faxes may be received on either of the above phone numbers. If any chronology or transcript has been prepared by word-processor it would be helpful if I could have a copy of any such files on floppy disc or by email (preferably in Word format).
I prefer to receive bundles bound only by treasury tags - my invariable experience is that the Post Office damage bundles sent in lever arch files.
It is my usual practice to complete and return reports within 8-12 weeks of receipt of the case note bundle.
Fees are payable within 60 days (unless other terms are agreed), an 8% interest charge will apply thereafter.
It is now my invariable practice to scan all documents (including copied medical records) and not to retain any paper copies. All instructions are therefore accepted on the basis that copied medical records are not returnable and will be confidentially shredded. I prefer to receive A3 sheets reduced to A4 size. I am happy to provide copies of records on CD-ROM in readable and editable format on request.
I am happy to provide screening reports in line with the AVMA policy-£250 for a preliminary report based on core bundle, chronology and instructions. Alternative I am happy to provide screening reports for £350 for more substantial bundles, at my usual hourly rate or by negotiation-I look forward to being of service to you and your clients.