EWJ 60 April 2025 web - Journal - Page 55
ensure you provide a list of all required documentation you need to form your opinion. It helps to have
seen and commented on relevant witness evidence
from the other side.
With thorough preparation and diligence from
the start, you can avoid a civil claim against you or
attention from the governing professional body.
It is advisable that you familiarise yourself with the relevant guidance (plus Part 35 of the Civil Procedure
Rules)
It should be made clear that your draft reports are just
that and not to be disclosed. Your final report should
only be disclosed once you have seen and considered
all the relevant available material.
Contact
Colin Holburn
01384 440723
info@pedmore-medical.com
www.pedmore-medical.com
You should see all expert evidence from the other side
during preparations for experts’ meetings and it is
here when you and/or your instructing solicitor
should take note of whether any evidence has been
seen by the other side but not by you. Avoid completing any discussions with the other side until the situation is remedied.
If you require an expert
fast let us do the searching
for you call the Expert
Witness free telephone
searchline on
0161 834 0017
or email
admin@expertwitness.co.uk
Before and during the trial
Do all you can to minimise any negative impact on
your client’s case including raising awareness with
your legal team if, for example, evidence comes to
light that you are unaware of or haven’t seen.
Answer all questions asked of you as fully as you can.
Trying to avoid answering will always catch you out
and reduce the quality of your opinion.
Finally, rely only on your own evidence in the witness
box. Do not assume that your legal team has given you
everything you require to present your report as
truthful and accurate. Rather, ensure that you have all
available material and that there are no outstanding
issues for your consideration.
Mr. Vittal Rao
Mr Colin Holburn
Consultant Surgeon
Consultant in Emergency Medicine
MBBS, MS, FRCS (Ed & Glasg), MD FRCS (Gen Surg)
MB ChB (Edinburgh University) 1981, Fellow Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh)
1986, Fellow of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine 1993
Mr Vittal Rao is a Consultant Laparoscopic and Upper
Mr Colin Holburn is an experienced Consultant in Accident & Emergency at Sandwell
GI & Bariatric Surgeon based at the University Hospital
& West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. Mr Holburn’s considerable experience can
of North Midlands NHS Trust. He completed his surgical
help with every scenario originating from emergency medicine. This includes (but is not
training in Yorkshire and research degree in Hull
exclusive of): failure to diagnose, making the wrong diagnosis and failing to or giving
Vittal performs the whole range of advanced laparoscopic,
incorrect treatment. He undertakes medico-legal reporting for both claimant and
upper GI and bariatric procedures. His main fields of work
defendant, has experience of giving evidence in court and has been instructed by a
number of HM Coroners to provide expert evidence for inquests regarding care in the
include weight loss surgery and laparoscopic (key hole)
Emergency Department.
surgery for hernias and gall stones. With a special
interest in endobariatric procedures and academia.
Expertise includes:
• Standard of clinical care in the Emergency Department
Expert witness service includes medical negligence
• Treatment of hand and upper limb injuries
and injury claims pertaining to abdominal wall injuries.
• Treatment of head injuries
He has undertaken extensive expert witness training
• Soft tissue sports injuries
and holds the Cardiff Bond Solon Expert witness certificate.
• Causation of injuries incurred as a result of possible criminal activity including
injuries caused by blunt and sharp injuries, human and animal bites
Areas of interest include:
• Multiple trauma
Weight loss surgery
• Spinal injuries including diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome
Laparoscopic surgery including ventral, incisional and
• Missed fractures including scaphoid fractures
groin hernias and gall bladder surgery
• Diagnosis of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism
• Chemical incidents
Gall stones
• Management of overdoses including paracetamol
Abdominal pain
• Emergency cardiac care and resuscitation
Reflux disease
• Use of NICE guidelines and pathways
Gastroscopy for diagnosis
Umbilical hernia
Services provided includes:
• Advice and indicators of approximate costs
Paraumbilical hernia,
• Brief preliminary reports with a rapid response
Inguinal hernia,
• Standard Reports prepared within three months of formal instructions
Femoral hernia,
• Feedback and answers written, comments on statements, reports & claim forms
Hiatus hernia,
• Conferences with counsel attended as required
Laparoscopic hernia repair,
• The arrangement of expert meetings.
Gastro oesophageal reflux disease
• Joint reports prepared within court timetable
• Attendance at court if needed
Contact Name: Mr Vittal Rao - Tel: 07719 495 560
Tel: 01384 440723
Email: rraovsr@gmail.com - Alternate Email: vittal.rao@uhnm.nhs.uk
Email: c.holburn@pedmore-medical.com - Website: www.pedmore-medical.com
Website: https://infinitysurgery.co.uk
Address: 17 Coppicewood Drive, Littleover, Derby, DE23 4YQ
Pedmore Medical Ltd, 14 Hagley Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1PS
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
53
APRIL 2025
