"Brain damage during cardiac surgery"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Cardiology / Coronary Care Unit Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Cardiology / Coronary Care Unit AB25 2ZN

Posted by Paula P (as a carer), 2 years ago

My fiancé suffered a heart attack at work. Open heart surgery followed. Was told it was a routine operation with no anticipated complications.
During the operation he experienced hypoxic brain damage.
Diagnosis severe hypoxic frontal lobe brain injury widespread deficit irreversible.
Our whole world changed. I am still devastated.
Also kidney and liver damage, heart failure, fractured spine, uncontrollable diabetes. 11 emergency admissions in 12 months.
No answers from NHS Grampian. We went through NHS Grampian complaints procedure but once I relinquished Next of Kin status to his brother because I could no longer cope without his family’s help, NHS Grampian stopped the complaint. I was not longer permitted to complain.
Discharged with no support no carers.
Died 12 months after surgery alone at home when police broke down the door because he hadn’t been seen for days.
The worst care I could ever imagine

More about:

Do you have a similar story to tell?

Responses

Linda Oldroyd

Chief Nurse for Surgery,

NHS Grampian

Submitted on 15/11/2021 at 12:01

Published on Care Opinion at 13:48

Dear Paula P
Your story about your fiancé makes for most distressing reading. It would be normal for consent to be gained prior to any complaint being investigated when the complaint is submitted by someone other than the patient. I am sorry this process has not worked for you. I would encourage your fiancé's family to make an official complaint via our complaints process as we cannot manage a complaint as serious as this via Care Opinion.
I would welcome communication from yourself to try to understand the situation that has occurred here and if there is anything we can do to ease your pain.
I can be contacted by email linda.oldroyd@nhs.scot
Most sincerely,

{{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Was this response helpful? Yes | No
Thank you for your feedback.
See more responses from Linda Oldroyd

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

Dear Linda
He did sign the consent agreement which is why the complaint started. His family had no involvement with his care, only myself.
I understand the difficulties regarding obtaining consent but I would like to make one crucial point.
However difficult and complex this case is;
A patient suffered severe brain damage during cardiac surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and there has been no investigation, no results therefore passed on to me the person who cared for him 24 hours a day for a year (apart from his time in hospital which was considerable) and no one held responsible or lessons learned.
So im sure yet again I will be told nothing can be done to investigate but that is unacceptable.

Linda Oldroyd

Chief Nurse for Surgery,

NHS Grampian

Submitted on 26/11/2021 at 11:27

Published on Care Opinion at 12:27

Dear Paula P
Please could email your fiancé's full name and DOB and I can then look at his records and hopefully help you to understand what happened.
Linda O

{{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Was this response helpful? Yes | No
Thank you for your feedback.
See more responses from Linda Oldroyd

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

I emailed you almost 2 weeks ago with this information

Linda Oldroyd

Chief Nurse for Surgery,

NHS Grampian

Submitted on 29/11/2021 at 16:41

Published on Care Opinion on 30/11/2021 at 09:43

Thank you Paula P
I have been looking at the electronic patient record and have recalled the written notes. I will make contact again following review.
Apologies for missing the initial email. We will do our best for you.
Linda O

{{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Was this response helpful? Yes | No
Thank you for your feedback.
See more responses from Linda Oldroyd

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

Two months later and I am still waiting for a full response. Disappointing. NHS Grampian the complaints/feedback service is not adequate.
paula

Navigation
Shortcut Help	?
Go to Home	g + h
Go to Tell Your Story	g + t
Go to About Us	g + a

Opinions
Next Response	j
Previous Response	k

Brain damage during cardiac surgery

"Brain damage during cardiac surgery"

Responses

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

Update posted by Paula P (a carer) 2 years ago

Keyboard Shortcuts