HCML expands with new Bristol office

HCML has strengthened its fast-track services for processing musculoskeletal insurance claims with a new office in Bristol and a new team.

The rehab provider has also acquired Excell Medical Reporting, a Medco-registered medico-legal reporting company.

Ross Wilson has been recruited to the newly created position of triage, treatment and diagnostics services manager, along with Richard Abraham, senior case coordinator. Both join from rival firm Innovate Healthcare, where Wilson was operations manager for treatment services.

HCML said the new Bristol team will offer effective telephone-based triage assessments along with treatment services through its physiotherapy network, Innotrex.

Its triage service will offer a streamlined, structured clinical assessment of musculoskeletal injuries, like whiplash, in line with the 2015 Rehabilitation Code, and will initially handle up to 700 referrals a month. It will also offer diagnostic services, such as MRI scans, and physiotherapy treatments.

Keith Bushnell, chief executive of HCML, said the new triage assessment was designed for high volume cases which needed speedy, low-level interventions. He said it would also result in less administration for insurance firms and solicitors who referred patients to HCML.

“Our skill comes from knowing which cases to escalate and which to fast-track,” he said.

“This will process the less complicated injuries very well for the injured individual by ensuring they get appropriate treatment and are positioned for a speedy recovery, avoiding the risk of over-medicalising.

“Ross Wilson has a strong track record in managing operations in this field and he will bring real process efficiencies which will create positive patient experiences and high customer satisfaction scores.”

Wilson added that HCML was about to achieve its first ever annual turnover of £10 million.

In March, the company added a new manager, David Staines to its ranks. Staines joined from rival company, 3d Rehabilitation. His appointment is part of HCML’s expansion plans to bolster and develop its serious injury case management services.

Staines has 10 years’ experience in case management and team management. He specialises in sport and exercise science, disability management, chronic pain management, complex orthopaedic injuries, burns care and return to work planning.

Pictured above: Keith Bushnell, Richard Abraham and Ross Wilson on Valentine Bridge in Bristol Temple Meads

Mark Dugdale