NHS apologises for 'confusing' care of stroke patient

NHS Grampian has apologised to a patient for the care and treatment they received in hospital after having a form of stroke.

A watchdog said communication with the patient was "unclear and confusing", and said a commitment to explore potential links between a Covid vaccine and their brain injury was not followed up.

The patient - only known as C - had a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain.

NHS Grampian said it accepted the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman's (SPSO) recommendations.

Three complaints in relation to the care of C were upheld in the decision - after they suffered a type of stroke called a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

The report said the board failed to follow up a commitment given to C to explore any potential link between a Covid-19 vaccine and their injury.

It added C's attempts to gather information about the risk of further doses was not supported.

The SPSO also found there was a failure to provide the patient with written information about the plans for their rehabilitation.

The watchdog said it was felt C's concerns were not always properly addressed.

NHS Grampian it had written to the patient to apologise.

A spokesman added: "We did not meet their, or our own, expectations in this case."