REGARDING your article (LET, May 11) on the shortfall of specialist care for brain injury patients within East Lancashire, I suffered a brain bleed some four weeks ago and was admitted to the Medical Unit at Blackburn Infirmary and was later transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital.
A distinct difference was apparent between the two hospitals in the care and treatment offered.
Preston offered a 'stay flat in bed' approach, pain-relief when necessary and lots of nurse-to-patient contact, including neurological observations every few hours.
Blackburn really offered nothing more than stay-in-bed, and 'regimental' pain relief, with no neurological observations and virtually no patient-to-nurse contact unless necessary.
Fortunately, I did not suffer any lasting damage and, after two weeks in Preston, was discharged.
I wasn't really advised by anyone on any precautions to take after my brain bleed and have learnt more through talking to other patients in Preston (with whom I became good friends) and through ringing the Stroke Association for advice and, I have to say, TVAM, who had an item on strokes recently. While I appreciate all the NHS provides for our health care, I do think that the North West needs and must have more actual care within each hospital for brain injuries, along with fully-trained nurses and doctors.
This could give every patient a better chance to survive and make a good recovery.
Aftercare is as important in these situations as the care received in hospital.
It is imperative that we endeavour to provide both!
J A CLOSSICK (Mrs), Elgar Close, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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