About Bird Forensic Healthcare Ltd

  Bird Forensic Healthcare Ltd provides independent expert witness and consultancy services specialising in forensic and custodial healthcare.

Independent, evidence-based opinion is provided across criminal, civil and coronial proceedings, with particular expertise in police custody healthcare, deaths in custody and following police contact, clinical standards of care and negligence, vulnerability, substance misuse and withdrawal, drug concealment, forensic procedures and acute clinical deterioration.

Instructions are considered from solicitors, medicolegal agencies and other professional organisations across the UK. 

About Thomas Bird

  Thomas Bird is a Consultant Paramedic with over 10 years’ experience in police custody healthcare, including more than five years in senior clinical leadership. He is an Independent Prescriber, Advanced Life Support Instructor and an experienced custody healthcare clinician.

His practice combines extensive frontline experience with clinical governance, complex case review and the development of national forensic healthcare guidance. His expert opinion is grounded in current evidence, professional standards and the practical realities of delivering healthcare within police custody. 

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Areas of Expertise

Police Custody Healthcare

 Clinical assessment and management of detainees, including fitness for detention, interview, charge and release, vulnerability and standards of care.

Deaths in Custody & Following Police Contact

 Independent review of healthcare provision, clinical decision-making, deterioration, monitoring, escalation and emergency response in deaths occurring in custody or following police contact. 

Clinical Standards & Negligence

 Opinion on the standard and reasonableness of healthcare provided within police custody, including assessment, treatment, referral, documentation and clinical governance. 

Drugs, Alcohol & Concealment

 Intoxication, substance dependence and withdrawal, medication management, suspected drug concealment and the associated clinical risks within custody. 

Road Traffic Act & Forensic Procedures

 Medical and impairment assessments, blood procedures, consent and capacity, forensic sampling and the healthcare professional’s role in Road Traffic Act investigations. 

Acute Deterioration & Emergency Care

 Recognition and management of acute illness and injury, clinical deterioration, resuscitation, escalation to emergency services and decisions regarding hospital transfer. 

Contact

Instructions are welcome from solicitors, barristers, medicolegal agencies and other professional organisations.

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Thomas.bird@birdforensichealthcare.co.uk

Bird Forensic Healthcare Ltd

07889605892