A Day in the Life of a Tissue Viability Expert Witness

For many senior nurses, the idea of stepping into medico-legal work and becoming a nursing expert witness is appealing but also unfamiliar. What does a typical day look like? How does this work fit alongside clinical duties or leadership roles? Is it manageable, or overwhelming?

At Apex Experts, we work with Band 7+ Tissue Viability Nurses who are exploring expert witness work for the first time. To help demystify the process, this blog offers a behind-the-scenes look at what a real day might involve as a TVN and Nurse Expert Witness with Apex Experts.

While every case is different, and every expert sets their own schedule, the structure and support we provide means your experience can be focused, efficient, and deeply rewarding.

Starting the Day

Unlike shift-based nursing roles, expert witness work is self-directed and remote. That means there’s no commute, no rota, and no handover. Many of our expert nurses start their day early, especially if they’re balancing clinical commitments. Others prefer to carve out focused time on non-clinical days.

Typically, the morning might begin by reviewing a new case brief from our admin team. This includes a secure summary of what the case involves - such as an allegation about pressure ulcer care, or a question around escalation in a complex wound case. Our team has already liaised with the solicitor, gathered the core documents, and uploaded everything to our encrypted platform.

You’ll know the timeline, deadlines, and expectations so you can plan your work accordingly.

Reviewing the Case - Clinical Judgement in Action

Carefully reviewing patient records is key in clinical negligence matters

Once you’re ready to dive in, you’ll begin reading through the relevant clinical notes, risk assessments, and correspondence. This is where your clinical expertise comes to life - noticing gaps, questioning timelines, and applying your real-world understanding to the care delivered.

You might notice that documentation is inconsistent, or that escalation didn’t occur when it should have. You might find that care was entirely appropriate and needs to be defended against criticism. Whatever your conclusion, it will be based on fact, not opinion, and guided by the professional standards you already know and work with.

Unlike clinical settings where interruptions are constant, expert witness work offers space for sustained focus. You’re able to concentrate, reflect, and write without being pulled in ten directions.

Writing the Report

Our Tissue Viability Nurse experts have access to structured report templates provided by Apex Experts, so you’re never starting from a blank page. The format is already designed to meet CPR 35 standards, with clear prompts for what to include and how to structure your reasoning.

Our team is always on hand to review your draft, provide feedback, and help you refine your tone and clarity. We’re not editing your opinion, but we’ll support you in presenting it in a legally robust and professional way.

A report might take a few hours or a few days depending on the complexity and we work with you to ensure timelines are realistic and achievable. We liaise with the client directly so your focus can be on the most important thing: your professional opinion.

Managing the Admin - We Take Care of That

Throughout the day, you don’t need to worry about corresponding with solicitors, chasing documents, or creating invoices. Our admin team does all of that for you so you can stay focused on the clinical and analytical elements, while we handle the logistics.

We also make sure you’re paid on time, every time. All of our Tissue Viability Nurse experts are paid within 30 days of invoicing - even if the client is delayed, we prioritise paying our experts within 30 days, no matter what.

Ending the Day - The Satisfaction of Purposeful Work

By the end of your working day, you’ll likely feel a very different kind of professional fulfilment. You’ve used your clinical skill to inform a wider process and you’ve contributed to a system that needs nursing insight.

And you’ve done so in a way that fits around your existing life, not the other way around.

Many of our experts tell us they find this work refreshing and empowering. It allows them to reconnect with their values without the pressures of shift work or operational politics.

No Two Days Are the Same, But the Support Is

Of course, not every day includes a new case or a full report. You may go weeks between cases, or choose to work more consistently - that’s completely up to you. But whenever you’re working, you’re doing so with full access to our systems, support, training, and team.

You’re never doing it alone, Apex are with you every step of the way.

Want to Explore a New Kind of Nursing Role? Join us as a Tissue Viability Expert Witness

If you're a senior Tissue Viability Nurse working at Band 7 or above, and you’re looking for meaningful consultancy work that fits around your existing commitments, we’d love to hear from you.

Email info@apexexperts.co.uk or visit www.apexexperts.co.uk and complete our contact us form.