SOC - Bristol
Our Specialists
Mr Steve Hepple MB ChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(Orth)
Curriculum Vitae
Mr Hepple is a NHS Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery in the Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, and also consults at the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. He specialises in sports injuries and foot and ankle surgery.
Affiliations
He is a member of the British Orthopaedic Association, and an active member the British Orthopaedic Foot Surgery Society
Medico-legal Experience
His Medico-Legal Reports are prepared to the guidelines introduced by the Law Society and the British Orthopaedic Association and conform to Lord Woolf's reforms. Mr Hepple acts equally without bias for plaintiffs and defendants. Mr Hepple has performed medical reports since 1998. He has approximately 200 to 250 clients per year. He does not undertake clinical negligence work. His work involves 40% claimant, 25% defence and 35% joint reporting. Mr Hepple can prepare a report in approx 4 weeks (urgent by arrangement). His interests include all trauma with a subspecialty interest in foot & ankle trauma. Mr Hepple has attended several conferences organized by the British Orthopaedic Association regarding the preparation of medical reports.
Research Interests and Publications
Mr Hepple has research interests in arthritis and deformity of the ankle. He performs the newer operations of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis and ankle replacement on a regular basis. He has published work on cartilage lesions of the ankle (osteochondral lesions) and has extensive experience in arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery for this and other complaints. He has presented work at several national and international meetings and has published in various peer reviewed journals. For a list of publications click Hepple's Publications
Clinical Experience
Mr Hepple has gained broad experience in Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery whilst training initially in Sheffield and more recently in Bristol. Following further experience in Brisbane, Australia he developed specialist experience in the management of foot & ankle disorders. Mr Hepple has been awarded The Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training and is therefore privileged to be listed in the General Medical Council Specialist Register. He is a recognised Provider in the Advanced Trauma Life Support scheme.
Peer Review Audit
Mr Hepple is involved in the systematic critical analysis of his own and his colleagues' standards of medical care at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Bristol as required by the Department of Health.
Teaching
Mr Hepple works in a teaching hospital and is, therefore, responsible for tutoring medical students, physiotherapists and nursing staff. He regularly lectures locally and nationally on courses to all medical and paramedical staff including the regular twice yearly SOC GP and physiotherapy study day.