At Hudgell Solicitors we represent many people who, due to negligent delays in diagnosis and treatment, suffer strokes which could have either have been prevented, or could have resulted in less disability with appropriate and timely treatment.
As part of our commitment to continually developing the skills and knowledge of our medical negligence legal team, and to improve their understanding of the difficulties faced by those we support, we regularly welcome experts – and people who can talk about the ‘lived experience’ of life-changing conditions – to speak to our team.
Most recently we welcomed Mike Lynch, Volunteer Community Connector from the Stroke Association to our Hull Office.
Mike is a volunteer with the Stroke Association and is a former stroke carer, and part of his role is raising awareness.
It was great to learn how the Association supports people to rebuild their lives after suffering a stroke, providing specialist support to help thousands of people through what can be one of the most frightening experiences of their lives. Mike also explained how the association campaigns for change and helps to fund vital research.
Like many other serious health conditions, there is a postcode lottery when it comes to the availability of treatment, ambulance response times, time to diagnosis and impact – all of which makes the work of charities such as the Stroke Association all the more important. Our knowledge and understanding of stroke for when families turn to us when they need support and help for the future is important.
Some of the key messages our team took away were how a stroke can happen to anyone of any age. Younger people can have strokes, including children, with one in four strokes in the UK happening to people of working age.
No two strokes are the same either and depending on the type of stroke and where it occurs in the brain the impact can vary meaning there is no set pattern for recovery.
We are certain this invaluable training will enable our team to better understand our client’s needs and how to support them and their loved ones, particularly when a stroke has impacted on speech, emotions, behaviour, memory, concentration and vision.
We are grateful to the Stroke Association for their work in educating the public, supporting those affected by stroke, funding research and campaigning for change, and look forward to welcoming Mike in October to talk to our Manchester clinical negligence team.
Symptoms of a stroke
The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify if someone is having a stroke.
- Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Other signs that you should always take seriously include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
- Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
- A sudden, severe headache.
If you spot any of these signs of a stroke, don’t wait. Call 999 straight away.
If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke and are concerned that there may be failures in your medical care, please contact us today to discuss your concerns.
