Psychiatric treatment needs

A clear recommendation of the treatment the claimant needs: what kind, how much, for how long, from whom, and what it is likely to achieve, so that the cost can be calculated and the prognosis relied on. Free initial screening call and fixed fees with no hidden charges.

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  • APIL Tier 1 Recommended Expert
  • Claimant, defendant and SJE
  • Reports usually 1–2 weeks from assessment
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Treatment that can be costed and relied on

A recommendation of “therapy” is not enough to value a claim. Dr Pradhan’s reports say what treatment is reasonably required, the type of therapy, the number of sessions, whether medication or a psychiatric review is needed, how long treatment should last and what it is likely to achieve.

The recommendations rest on the diagnosis, the treatment already tried and the claimant’s response to it, and they take account of any barriers to treatment, such as the claimant’s readiness to engage, other health problems or the availability of the right therapy.

Dr Pradhan’s NHS consultant practice informs her approach to treatment and prognosis, and she is an APIL Tier 1 recommended expert.

What the report covers

Treatment needs reports commonly address:

  • The treatment received so far, and how the claimant responded
  • The psychological therapy now indicated, and the type
  • The number of sessions, and their frequency
  • Medication, and whether a review is needed
  • Who should provide the therapy, and in what setting
  • Treatment for coexisting conditions, such as substance misuse
  • The likely benefit of treatment, and its effect on prognosis
  • Barriers to treatment, and how they could be addressed
  • Whether NHS treatment is likely to be available in time
  • When treatment should start, and the effect of delay
  • Supplementary questions, joint statements and updated reports

Send a short summary of the events relied on, the treatment received so far and the questions for the expert, and Dr Pradhan will confirm the scope of opinion and a fixed fee.

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What a usable recommendation contains

The report sets out the treatment in a form that other experts and the parties can work with.

Type

The treatment indicated by the diagnosis, such as trauma-focused therapy for PTSD, with the reasons for that choice.

Amount

The number and frequency of sessions, and any medication or psychiatric review, so that the cost can be calculated.

Timing

When treatment should start, how long it should last, and what happens if it is delayed.

Effect

What treatment is likely to achieve, the residual symptoms likely to remain, and the risk of relapse.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6065

Treatment, NICE and the value of the claim

Recommendations are made with reference to the relevant NICE guidance and the claimant’s individual circumstances. Where the guidance and the claimant’s situation point in different directions, the report explains the choice.

The psychiatric report says what treatment is needed and for how long; the cost is usually calculated from it by the parties or by a care expert. For claims in England and Wales the report is structured for CPR Part 35; for Scotland and Northern Ireland it is prepared to those courts’ own rules.

Submit an enquiry Call 0121 752 6065
NICE guidance

NICE recommends trauma-focused psychological therapy for adults with PTSD, and links treatment for depression to its severity. The report applies the guidance to the claimant, not in the abstract.

Related pages

Future care and rehabilitationLong-term psychiatric care and supportFind out more
Psychiatric prognosisThe likely course of symptoms, treatment and recoveryFind out more
Trauma and PTSDPTSD and other trauma reactionsFind out more
Depression and anxietyDepressive and anxiety disorders after abuse or negligent careFind out more

Treatment needs questions

If your question is not answered here, call and Dr Pradhan will advise on scope and timescale.

Call 0121 752 6065
Will the report give the number of therapy sessions?

Yes. It gives the type of therapy, the likely number and frequency of sessions and the reasons, so that the cost can be calculated.

Does the report recommend private treatment?

It says what treatment is needed and when. Where NHS treatment is unlikely to be available in time, or the right therapy is not offered locally, the report says so and gives the clinical reasons for providing it privately.

The claimant has not engaged with treatment before. Does that matter?

The report considers why, whether the reasons are part of the condition itself, and what would make treatment more likely to succeed.

Is treatment covered in the psychiatric injury report?

Usually, yes. Diagnosis, causation, prognosis and treatment are normally dealt with in one report. A separate treatment report is useful where treatment is the only issue or an earlier recommendation is out of date.

How quickly can a report be delivered?

Usually 1–2 weeks from assessment, and urgent reports can often be provided in 2–5 working days where the papers and appointment can be arranged promptly.

Instruct Dr Pradhan on treatment needs

Send a short summary of the events relied on, the treatment received so far, the funding route and any relevant dates.

Please do not include medical records or a detailed personal history in this form. Dr Pradhan will confirm how to send the papers once the instruction is agreed.

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Please do not include medical records or a detailed personal history.

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