Mrs T complained that the consultant cardiologist took her off medication she had been prescribed after an operation to replace a valve in her heart, and this caused her to have a stroke.
What happened
In mid–2013, Mrs T's consultant cardiologist referred her for a heart operation. The operation was successful and she was prescribed a number of drugs, including a blood–thinning tablet, to stop her having a stroke.
Mrs T saw the consultant cardiologist two more times. On the first occasion, he noted that her blood pressure was normal so he stopped all of her medication against her wishes. Mrs T went back to him four weeks later, complaining of being 'giddy', having blurred vision (she requested a scan of her head, which he refused) and several non–specific symptoms. Again, the consultant did not prescribe any medication.
Mrs T then went home after this consultation and fell over. She believes that she had a stroke at this time. Although she has been told that she did indeed have a stroke, there is conflicting medical opinion on this. Mrs T stated that she now has to take medication for the rest of her life and lives in fear of having another stroke.
What we found
We did not uphold this complaint. The consultant cardiologist behaved reasonably by stopping the medication at the first consultation after the operation, and also on the second occasion when he did not reinstate the medication.
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Buckinghamshire
Not applicable
Not applicable