NHS Grampian apologises to patient after failing to 'explore link between Covid jab and brain injury'

An NHS board has apologised to a patient for failing to investigate concerns raised about a link between the Covid vaccine and their brain injury.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) instructed NHS Grampian to apologise to a patient, referred to as C to protect their anonymity.

C suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage which is a form of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain.

The patient complained about the care and treatment they received after being admitted to multiple different hospitals before being discharged.

C also complained that the board failed to communicate with them appropriately while they were in hospital.

The patient complained they were not fit for discharge when they left hospital and that inadequate rehabilitation plans were made in the community.

C chose to stay at a relative’s property and was eventually admitted to a rehabilitation unit but believed the delay had affected their prognosis.

During their treatment, C raised concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine they had received and how that may have been linked to their haemorrhage.

The SPSO found that the board failed to follow up on a commitment given to C to explore any potential link between the Covid-19 vaccine and C’s brain injury.

They determined that the board also failed to support C’s attempts to gather information to assess the risk of further vaccine doses and upheld this part of the complaint.

The SPSO upheld C’s complaint regarding communication following advice from a consultant neurologist as well as an occupational therapist.

The watchdog found that communication with C was “unclear and confusing”, and did not always address the main points C was raising.

In relation to plans for C’s rehabilitation, they found that the board made reasonable plans but failed to provide regarding the rehab plans.

C was unable to retain this information when given verbally which meant they were unaware of the plan and could not access the support available to them and the SPSO upheld this part of C’s complaint.

NHS Grampian has been contacted for comment.