Medical Negligence Lawyers Join Family In Marking World Stroke Day

The husband of a woman left disabled when she suffered a stroke following brain surgery reveals she will require life-long care.

Jane Grocott from Stafford underwent an operation to remove a brain tumour at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in 2018.  During the surgery, she suffered a damaged blood vessel after a medical device – a Budde Halo set – was clamped to her skull.  She subsequently suffered a stroke.

Jane, 67, of Rowley Park, now lives with a series of permanent medical issues including incontinence, memory problems and reduced speech.  She is also registered blind and wheelchair dependent.  She’s cared for by her husband Chris, 67, who feeds her and has to move her with a hoist.

Following the mum-of-three’s stroke, her family instructed medical negligence experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Jane’s loved ones are now joining their legal team in marking World Stroke Day by speaking out on how she will require care for the rest of her life.  It comes after the UHB admitted liability and apologised to the family.  In addition, an assessment of the Budde Halo sets has led to a number of them being decommissioned.

Expert Opinion

“Jane has been left with life-long problems after suffering an avoidable injury during surgery, and as a result the last four years have been incredibly difficult for her whole family.

While nothing can change what’s happened, we’re determined to ensure Jane has access to the ongoing care and treatment she’ll need for the rest of her life.

We’ll continue to support the family and join them in sharing their story as part of World Stroke Day. It’s an opportunity for them to share their story and raise awareness around the dangers of strokes.”
Emma Rush, Partner and Medical Negligence Lawyer

Jane’s surgery took place on 11 October 2018.  A device clamped to her skull during the procedure was found to have parts missing and another device was used.  However, the replacement had signs of wear and tear, and one of the arms damaged a blood vessel.

Doctors thought Jane had suffered a stroke.  She underwent a scan the next day which confirmed this.

The grandmother-of-three remained in hospital for two months, before being discharged to a specialist rehabilitation unit for four months.

Chris, a retired dentist, said: “It’s been four years since Jane had the stroke, yet I still struggle to come to terms with how life is for us now.

“She used to be such a sociable person, so to see her lose all her independence and have to be cared for devastates me.  She was always the head of the family and the one everyone turned to.  Now, she has to rely on the rest of us for everything.

“I still get upset at times, knowing that there’s nothing I can do to change what Jane’s gone through and how it could have been avoided.  But I’m hopeful that she will be provided with the care and treatment she needs.

“We wanted to share our story as part of World Stroke Day to help make others aware of the impact a stroke can have and that there is support out there.”

World Stroke Day is on 29 October.

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