A stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. Recognising the signs quickly and calling 999 without delay can be critical, as prompt assessment and treatment can reduce the risk of serious and lasting disability.
For our Clinical Negligence team, World Stroke Day is also an opportunity to highlight why timely diagnosis and treatment matters – and when delays or missed symptoms may raise concerns about the standard of care.
Why Early Treatment Matters
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, either because of a blockage or bleeding.
Once a stroke is suspected, urgent assessment and brain imaging are needed to establish what type of stroke has occurred and determine the most appropriate treatment. Depending on the circumstances, this may include treatments such as thrombolysis or thrombectomy.
The sooner an appropriate diagnosis is made and treatment is provided, where clinically suitable, the greater the opportunity to limit damage to the brain.
This is why recognising the signs of stroke and acting quickly is so important.
We previously explored the importance of timely access to specialist care in our article on stroke unit closures in Wales, looking at concerns about proposed changes to local services and the potential consequences of delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Know the Signs: Remember FAST
The main signs of a stroke can be remembered using FAST:
- Face: Has one side of the face dropped? Can the person smile normally?
- Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech: Is their speech slurred, confused or difficult to understand?
- Time: If you notice any of these signs, call 999 immediately.
Other possible symptoms include sudden loss or blurred vision, severe dizziness or unsteadiness, loss of coordination, one-sided weakness or numbness, or difficulty understanding or speaking.
If you suspect a stroke, call 999 and explain that you think the person may be having a stroke. Do not wait to see if the symptoms improve.
Symptoms can sometimes stop after a short period. This may be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a mini-stroke. A TIA can be a warning sign of a future stroke and still requires urgent medical assessment.
When Might Delays in Stroke Care Raise Concerns?
Not every stroke results from negligent care, and even where treatment is provided appropriately, a stroke can have devastating consequences.
However, concerns may arise where there has been an avoidable failure to recognise or respond appropriately to symptoms.
Depending on the circumstances, this could include:
- failing to recognise symptoms of a stroke or TIA;
- failing to arrange appropriate investigations or brain imaging promptly;
- delays in referring or involving appropriate specialist stroke services;
- failing to provide appropriate treatment within the relevant clinical timeframe;
- failing to appropriately monitor or manage relevant risk factors; or
- failing to act on signs that a patient may be experiencing, or be at increased risk of experiencing, a stroke.
Whether there has been clinical negligence will depend on the individual circumstances and the evidence available.
What Is Needed to Establish a Clinical Negligence Claim?
A poor outcome following a stroke does not, by itself, mean that clinical negligence has occurred.
To establish a claim, it is generally necessary to show that the care provided fell below the appropriate standard and that this caused, or materially contributed to, an injury or worsening of the outcome that could have been avoided.
In stroke cases, this can be particularly important when considering whether an earlier diagnosis or treatment would probably have made a difference. Independent medical experts may therefore be required to consider the care provided and what the likely outcome would have been if appropriate treatment had been given sooner.
Every case is different, and the evidence will determine whether there are grounds for a claim.
How Can Our Clinical Negligence Team Help?
If you or someone close to you has suffered a stroke and you are concerned that symptoms were missed, treatment was delayed, or appropriate care was not provided, it may be possible to investigate what happened.
Our specialist Clinical Negligence team can review the circumstances, help obtain the relevant medical records and seek appropriate independent expert evidence where necessary.
We can then explain whether there may be grounds for a clinical negligence claim and what the next steps could be.
If you have concerns about the care you or a loved one received following a stroke, contact our Clinical Negligence team to discuss what happened.
