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Dr Helen SiddleConsultant PsychiatristMBBS, FRANZCP, MFPOA

Medico-legal

Psychiatric opinion for lawyers, insurers and tribunals

Independent. Decision-specific. Written to the legal test.

Dr Siddle has prepared independent psychiatric reports for more than fifteen years, across capacity, workplace injury and insurance matters. She is a member of the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry and an accredited old age psychiatrist.

Refer a matter
Written report illustration

Experienced and objective medico-legal assessments

An independent assessment is not treatment and it is not advocacy. Dr Siddle does not act for the person being assessed or for the party who instructs her. Her duty is to the court or tribunal that will read the report.

Dr Siddle has served on the Psychiatric Assessment Tribunal for over 15 years, and has been Deputy Chair since 2017.

Areas of assessment

Independent medical assessment

Psychiatric injury, diagnosis, causation, permanent impairment and work capacity for workers’ compensation, income protection, TPD, CTP and public liability matters.
Independent medical assessment

Within these areas, matters commonly include workers’ compensation, income protection and TPD claims, work capacity disputes, medical negligence claims, QCAT administration and guardianship applications, contested wills and disputed enduring documents. If you are not sure whether a question fits, ask.

What the report contains

  • Your questions
  • The documents reviewed
  • History from the person and from collateral sources
  • Mental state and cognitive examination findings
  • Diagnosis and objective reasoning
  • Opinion on each question, with reasoning
  • The limits of the opinion, what could not be determined, and why

Dr Siddle attends court and conferences with counsel, and prepares supplementary reports where asked.

How to instruct

Medico-legal referrals come from lawyers, and from insurers, self-insurers, superannuation funds, medical defence organisations, tribunals, courts and government agencies. A letter of instruction is required. Email your enquiry to helen@drhelensiddle.com.au and Dr Siddle's practice manager will respond with your options. Reports are usually provided within one week of the assessment, once the documents are complete.

Send an enquiry

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Common questions

Answers for solicitors and insurers on who can refer, what is and is not assessed, turnaround, court attendance and retrospective opinions. Questions for solicitors and insurers