Apology following failure to notice stroke

NHS Tayside has been told to apologise to a patient sent home from hospital after a stroke.

The patient awoke from an unrelated procedure at Ninewells Hospital with common stroke symptoms.

But despite painful tingling in the mouth, left hand and foot, medics found “no clinical concerns” said a watchdog report.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) ruled the assessment was “insufficient” and put the health of the patient, “C”, at risk.

The ruling stated: “We found that, while staff identified that C’s symptoms indicated they may have had a stroke and an assessment was carried out with this in mind, the assessment was insufficiently detailed.”

After being sent home, the person’s symptoms persisted and they saw a GP as an emergency the next day.

The GP diagnosed a stroke and they were readmitted immediately.

A scan confirmed a stroke.

The report added: “Clinical staff involved should reflect on C’s case and give consideration as to where improvements could be made in their practice to ensure that symptoms of stroke are adequately investigated as soon as possible, and input from stroke specialists is obtained in clinically appropriate cases.

“The board said that they would be running education sessions for all staff to raise awareness regarding early signs and symptoms for stroke and the appropriate action to take.”

An NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “We are sorry that treatment and care in this case fell below the standard we would expect. We have apologised to the patient and a plan is in place to action the recommendations.”