consultations when appropriate. I have recently expanded my practice and now consult in Manchester. What types of organizations or cases have you provided services to or assisted and in which areas? I have provided services for NHS Resolution, UK expert Medical, e-medical, Doctors Chambers, Medreport, UK independent Medical, S K Medical Practice and Bodycare Clinics. I have assisted in the field of General and Colorectal Surgery. Specifically, I have dealt with the diagnosis and treatment of Colon and Rectal cancer and Emergency Surgical Conditions. I have also dealt with many Personal Injury cases causing abdominal injuries. What do you have to do as part of this role? I review medical records predominately and try and sift out the features that are salient to the legal instructions. I occasionally see patients in my chambers to assist in this process. What are the challenges with providing expert medico legal opinion on matters involving General and Colorectal Surgery? It is essential to provide a balanced opinion. I think clinical experience is essential but also understanding the nuances of modern medicine is vital. An academic background helps to provide supportive evidence. Ultimately, providing a sound opinion is the aim, and this can take considerable thought. Each case is unique. The working relationship between an expert and their instructing solicitor is a significant one. What are the challenges that experts face when working with instructing solicitors, and how do you overcome these? Communication is the key. All medicolegal work is about providing high quality reports within the terms that are agreed. I find it helpful to speak to the instructing solicitors sometimes get a deeper understanding of the instructions. Most instructing parties are understanding that medicolegal experts also have busy clinical commitments and are accommodating regarding looming deadlines. Time management is an essential skill. What is the most interesting case you have worked on? I find delays in cancer diagnosis specifically during the pandemic period some of the most interesting cases I have worked on. The pandemic created an extra-legal dimension to the cases. What do you consider the essential elements for a top-rated expert report? I find that the essential elements for medicolegal experts are discipline and organisation. I find that it is very useful to set aside protected peaceful time away from a busy clinical practice to write and more importantly think about what is required in each case. WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM 17 Mr Rakesh Bhardwaj MBChB (Bristol), FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Ed), MD (London), FRCS (Gen Surg), LLM
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