January 2007

Naturally this column welcomes the benefits that any form of standardisation can bring to bodyshops, but the matter of "who pays" will always temper any final judgement. With many bodyshops looking at margins somewhere between "slim and minimal", paying to meet a standard that brings with it no benefit would be hard to justify. Therefore the stance taken by work providers, on this one, will be critical. Simply having to "run even harder just to stand still" could, I feel, prove to be a bridge too far for many bodyshops. On the other hand, if work providers embrace the standard, and find themselves prepared to reward their loyal networks for achieving it, I'm sure, most will make every effort to clear the raised bar.

Moving on, you will recall that my invited guest for last month, Mr Mo Rafiq, the Managing Director of Trauma Claims consultancy, was unavoidably detained and unable to join me in the Commentary Box. However, I'm delighted to say that Mo is with me now and I know we are all looking forward to hearing what he has to say.

PW - "Mo, many thanks for making the time available to join me and I wonder if, to "get the ball rolling" so to speak, you could tell us exactly what Trauma Claims Consultancy, or to use the abbreviation TCC, actually does?"

MR- "TCC provides independent Medico-Legal reports for individuals who have suffered physical or psychological injuries during an accident. Our panel of medical experts provide specialist reports in all areas including injuries suffered during a road traffic accident, an accident at work or public place, works related diseases (such as asbestosis, hearing loss, stress, etc.) and medical negligence.

To assist an injured individual towards a speedier recovery and an early return to work we also provide a rehabilitation service. This service allows the injured individual rapid access to MRI scans, X-rays, physiotherapy and psychotherapy."

PW- "Do you provide a nationwide service?"

MR- "Yes, we have in excess of 4000 medical experts on our database. Our medical experts are based throughout the British Isles, Ireland and Central Europe."

PW - "How long has TCC been around?"

MR - "We have been in existence for around five years now. The company was set up by myself and my wife Frances.  I am an Orthopaedic Surgeon and my wife is a Physiotherapist."

PW- "How can members of the Bodyshop fellowship who have suffered an injury during an accident get to use your services?"

MR- "TCC works alongside a selected panel of Claims Management Companies and solicitors, throughout the United Kingdom. In the event where any of your members, their family or friends suffer an injury during an accident they can contact either Habbab Mehr on 0208 471 7777, or Eric Dervish on 0208 889 7799 for assistance. Once a solicitor who is on our panel receives a claim they will immediately instruct TCC to arrange an examination and for a medical report to be prepared by a medical expert. We will choose an appropriately qualified medical expert with the shortest waiting list and one who is closet to the clients' home address. We inform the client by way of a letter of the date, time and location of the appointment (a map of the location where the examination is to take place is also enclosed). A week before the appointment is due to take place we send a reminder letter to the client.  Three days in advance of the appointment the client is reminded of the appointment by way of a courtesy call from our office. Twenty four hours prior to the appointment the client also receives an automated text message from our database reminding them of the appointment. Shortly after the examination has taken place TCC sends the completed medical report to the solicitor who then forwards this to the client for their approval. I would just like to point out that TCC provides this service free of charge to the client."

PW- "Are there any other services which you can provide to members of the Bodyshop Fellowship?

MR- "Yes. Members of your Fellowship can benefit from our trading association with The Health Insurance Group (THIG) and AXA/PPP. THIG can provide an extensive range of health care products to your members such as individual or group health insurance, Travel insurance, Dental insurance, income protection etc.. Private medical insurance would be offered at discounted rates to members of the Bodyshop Fellowship and under the scheme all existing medical conditions could be covered. Under this scheme there would also be a dedicated free telephone helpline for members of your fellowship. Private medical insurance could be used by members of your fellowship as a way of improving staff retention rates, reduce employee sickness absence or they may choose to use it to reward their employees. For further information your members can contact Howard Holt on freephone 0800 033 6078."

PW- "Your company has maintained an interest in the recently appointed Compensation Act 2006. What advice would you give to our members regarding regulation?"

MR - "Due to the fact that TCC is often asked to recommend quality personal injury lawyers to clients in pursuit of a personal injury claim and having found out that this mere recommendation service may constitute a referral under the Act, I decided to look in depth at the workings of the Act.  The early consultation documents on the Act did suggest that any such referrals in this way would constitute a regulatory activity, however we are in fact exempt as these referrals to a lawyer are incidental to my main business activity and the referrals did not amount to more than 25 claims in one calendar quarter. I would highly recommend to your members that they look at the DCA website on www.dca.gov.uk and refer to the claims management section which will provide guidance to them.  However, it must be borne in mind by your members that if they need to be regulated they will need to apply by the 16 February 2007 as from April 2007 it will be an offence to refer claims to lawyers or accident management companies unless exempt under the provisions of the Act; details of which are on the DCA website.  In short the Compensation Act is the biggest change in the Personal Injury market since access to justice was announced."

PW - "Mo, many thanks for giving us such a valuable insight into a number of areas that can affect bodyshops in different ways. In particular it was encouraging to find out just how much help, assistance and support is available to our members and, of courser, bodyshops in general, from T C C.  So, and on behalf of our members, please accept out thanks for your valuable time. And, lastly, it only remains for me to wish you, and your staff, a happy and successful New Year."

A NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY:
Finally, and before signing off, I'm pleased to say that my invited guest, for February, will be David Laing the Country Manager for Lechler Coatings. David and I share strong views on the way in which bodyshops can benefit by working closely with a professional paint manufacturer, that is one that fully embraces the concept of adding value. Of course, while price will always be an important factor, technical support, training and an exciting product range that's firmly placed at the cutting edge of modern technology are vital ingredients.