I have spent since last Nov (when my husband suffered a severe stroke) reading and talking about treatment after a stroke.
Everything I read says that therapy should start asap after a stroke. It didn’t happen for him and we were terribly disappointed. He was in a stroke rehab centre which SHOULD have provided intensive physio but due to staff shortages he spent most days sitting in a wheelchair.
We are certain it has hampered his recovery and those months were wasted. He is now still in a wheelchair with very little change to his whole right side. He is very depressed, very tired and very fed up of hearing how other stroke sufferers have made far better progress because they had much earlier help.
I am absolutely exhausted looking after him, getting very little time to myself and being told by the GP to remove any sharp items and pills if I have to leave him alone as he very often feels suicidal. (I did wonder if I should leave that last bit out but it is true and relevant to how we are just now.)
Hi Penny, after my husband died I used the Legal Expenses Insurance element of our car insurance and house insurance to pay a specialist medical negligence lawyer to investigate. It was a very healing process. Make a Subject Access Requst to the hospital first. Before they know you are going to take things further.
Just something very, very short. Headed with your husband’s name, address, date of birth, and Subject Access Request. Please send me a copy of all my records from whenever he was admitted. Do the same for the GP too, from a year before the stroke. I remember you saying his BP was uncontrolled. Then see if you have Legal Expenses.Cover.I tell everyone how useful it is. I used it on another time for a useless tradesman.
@Penny Hi, sorry to hear of your problems, he should have had treatment asap that is for certain. As @bowlingbun has said do check your insurance as it is expensive to bring a claim.
The advice on Subject Access Request is excellent, I also asked for Freedom of Information on general matters when I complained about NHS.
I took it first to the NHS provider then the Ombudsman, it was a cathartic process and helped me cope with my pain and anger.
You were right to include the last point as it is very relevant, it illustrates the impact on his and your life by this failure.
On the positive side there may still be work he can do to strengthen his body and aid further recovery, perhaps your GP can help with this. I would stress you need help with his mental health, my experience in getting ANY mental health support is that it takes a long time, so start the process in getting him some support for any suicidal thoughts.
You need to take time for yourself too, you are also a victim in this and you need to take care of your needs
Sending hugs