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Has he had a stroke or not?

Posted By Frankly1972

"Has he had a stroke or not?"

About: Chesterfield Royal Hospital / Gastroenterology Chesterfield Royal Hospital / Older people's healthcare

(as a relative),

My Dad is in his mid 80's and has increasing problems with mobility. He was discharged from Hospital and has been in Newholme Hospital who have been trying to help him walk through physio. He was recently admitted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital Emergency Assessment Unit after he was violently sick at Newholme and blood was found in his vomit.

He was nil by mouth initially whilst they investigated the issue. Endoscopy didn't turn up anything significant and then they sent him for a CT scan to check whether or not he had had a stroke. Unfortunately because the CT scan happened over a weekend, there was no one available to determine the results and he was clearly really hungry. When I visited him, he spied some wine gums at another table and it was really sad telling him he couldn't have any.

He finally got his results this week and they concluded he hadn't had a stroke. So they started him with pureed food and he got transferred to a ward and everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction. However, yesterday he was observed eating and apparently the food isn't going down his throat properly and now they think he has had a stroke after all and that this has probably happened previously as well. We are all totally confused.

There is no difference in his speech, his face or the mobility in his arms. It seems this "stroke" has only affected his throat and the thing that seems to be worrying staff is that he's sometimes coughing when he's swallowing. We wonder whether it's possible the endoscopy has inflamed his throat.

This whole process of being pushed, prodded and being subjected to test after test is really getting Dad down. He was happy at Newholme and seemed to be making progress so this is all very frustrating and I wish we knew what was going on. The other thing is that seemingly he can't even go on the stroke ward as there are already 18 patients waiting to go on there.

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Responses

Response from Lisa Hallam, Patient Support Officer, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust 10 years ago
Lisa Hallam
Patient Support Officer,
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 09/12/2013 at 10:50
Published on Care Opinion on 10/12/2013 at 15:13

Unfortunately we are uable to comment on the service your father received at Chesterfield Hospital.

It is always rewarding to receive feedback and compliments on the services delivered by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust. I will ensure your comments are shared with the staff at Newholme Hospital.

Thank you for taking the time to post your appreciation.

Kind Regards

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Response from Stroke Association, Stroke Helpline, Stroke Association 10 years ago
Stroke Association
Stroke Helpline,
Stroke Association

Submitted on 10/12/2013 at 13:59
Published on Care Opinion at 15:13

10/12/2013

Our Ref: 167467

To whom it may concern

We recently saw your Patient Opinion post about the care and treatment your dad received after his stroke and that you do not feel that he received good care. If you are unhappy with the treatment he has received whilst in hospital it may be helpful to contact the Assistance and Complaints Service in Chesterfield Hospital. Part of their role is to ensure that the NHS listens to patients, their relatives, carers and friends, answers their questions and resolves their concerns as quickly as possible. You can telephone hem on 01246 512640 or email them at crhft.acs@nhs.net

You may also be interested to hear about the work of the Stroke Association and how we may be able to support your dad. We have Coordinators across the UK, providing information, advice and support to people affected by stroke. You can find out if there is a service in your area by contacting our Stroke Helpline. Our Helpline staff are there for anyone who has been effected by stroke in any way. We can offer information about stroke, practical advice and support, or simply someone to talk to. The Stroke Helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm on 0303 30 33 100. You can also email us at info@stroke.org.uk.

You may also find our website helpful. There is lots of information about stroke, including our range of leaflets and factsheets at www.stroke.org.uk.

I hope that this is helpful and that your dad is now getting the support that he needs to make the best recovery possible.

Stroke Information Service

Stroke Association

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Update posted by Frankly1972 (a relative)

Thank you both for your replies. As a family, we were extremely happy with the care Dad received whilst he was at Newholme. Also despite initial confusion at Chesterfield Royal, we were ultimately very grateful for the exceptional end of life care he received before he sadly passed away in May this year. I have reflected this elsewhere on this website https://www.patientopinion.org.uk/opinions/96712.

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