Stroke victim’s family who feel ‘let down’ by Chesterfield Royal say she remains ill in hospital

As reported by the Derbyshire Times last week, Pauline Snell’s son-in-law, Steven Ashton, said he told staff at the Royal that he believed she was suffering a stroke while in the hospital as she was struggling to speak.

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He said staff told him they believed an infection was to blame – but hours later they phoned the family to say the 78-year-old had suffered a stroke.

On Monday, Mr Ashton told the Derbyshire Times that Pauline’s condition had sadly not improved.

"She is still unable to talk and has loss of use in her right arm and leg,” he said.

“She is trying to communicate with us but can’t express herself – she is only answering ‘yes’ to everything.

“Her food has to be minced up and drinks thickened because she is at risk of choking.

“We can’t believe what has been allowed to happen in front of the very people who are supposed to be caring for her.”

Mr Ashton said he had lodged a complaint with the Royal.

A hospital spokesperson previously said: “Our intention is to provide every one of our patients with the exceptional care that they expect. As such, it is always disappointing to hear about occasions when a patient or relative feels that the trust has fallen short of that level of care.

“We always strive to work closely with the patients’ families, to include them in that care, realising that they know the individual and have a level if insight into how their health is changing. There is strong value in the way they understand the patient and how that can help to support their care and treatment plan.

“We are sorry that Steven has felt let down by the level of care given to Pauline and our clinical teams would welcome the opportunity to speak with him and his family to discuss their recent experiences.”

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition which happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

For more information about the condition and the symptoms, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke/

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