Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This month we’d like to take the opportunity to share the story of Sean Fitzpatrick who was a pa-tient at St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey and the Brad-ley Neuro-rehabilitation unit, which is run by Ash-ford and St Peter’s Hospitals, located within Woking Community Hospital.
Before becoming unwell, Sean was working as a flight steward for British Airways and was living completely independently. He became unwell earli-er this year and was admitted to St Peter’s Hospital back in March with COVID-19. Sean was so un-well that he needed to be treated in the Intensive Care Unit where he was intubated to help his breathing.
After making some improvement, he was extubat-ed, but unfortunately, his health deteriorated and he had to return to the Intensive Care Unit. Whilst here it was discovered that Sean had suffered multiple infarcts in his brain and a DVT in his upper limb. Subsequent tests showed peripheral nerve damage to his right hand and leg.
Sean was cared for by the team until he was well enough to be able to be transferred to another ward at the start of May, and was then admitted to the Bradley Neuro-rehabilitation unit a couple of weeks later. The Bradley Unit provides multidisciplinary assess-ment, advice and rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injury or complex neurological illness. When he first arrived, Sean required a full sling hoist for all transfers and assis-tance of two people to move in bed. He was fearful of falling, even in bed.
We’re so pleased that over the past six months, Sean has made an incredible recovery, with support from the whole team who have helped him along the way.
When he was discharged home in November, he was able to transfer independently and walk short distanc-es, both with a frame, and he now manages most of his daily care needs.
He had been participating in group strengthening exercises and can now move much more independently and has completed an exercise programme. He had also been doing some walking with an elbow crutch and had started to manage steps.
The team at the Bradley Neuro-rehabilitation unit who worked closely with Sean, and supported his recovery have praised his positive outlook and determination to get home. Jenny Cheetham, Phys-iotherapist, says; “the thing that has been incredi-ble, working with Sean, is his positivity through all of this. He has kept us all laughing. He has a long road ahead of him and a new life to adjust to but he remains very positive about his experience and regularly expresses his great thanks to everyone that has been involved in his care.”
The exemplary care and support that Sean received by all members of the team at St Peter’s and within the Bradley unit are testament to his remarkable recovery and we wish him the very best as he settles back into life at home.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their support throughout 2020. The past year has been incredibly challenging for us all, and whilst Christmas has been different this year, we hope that you were able to take some time to rest, recharge, and spend time with loved ones.