THE family of a Bradford mum left severely disabled after being sent home from hospital following a stroke have revealed how their ‘lives have changed forever’.

Alison Yeadon, 52, was taken by ambulance to Bradford Royal Infirmary on July 9, 2017, after suffering left-sided weakness which her husband Jon suspected to be a stroke. She was assessed and discharged home, with doctors diagnosing possible high blood sugar.

By July 11, Alison’s weakness had worsened and she was struggling with her speech. Jon called a GP, who recommended Alison went to hospital as an emergency. On this occasion, she was diagnosed with a stroke and treated.

However, the mum-of-two had already suffered serious injury. She has since been left disabled and is now largely house and wheelchair bound and has speech and memory problems. Alison, of Odsal, is dependent on Jon, 55, and her daughter Gemma, 30, to care for her.

Following Alison’s diagnosis, Jon instructed medical negligence experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his wife’s care and ensure Alison can access the treatment and therapies she requires.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary, admitted a breach of duty and a failure to identify and diagnose Alison’s stroke on July 9, which would have led to her being admitted and treated at that time. However, the Trust denied admitting Alison to hospital on July 9 would have changed her outcome.

A spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust wishes to express its sincere apologies to Alison and her family that the opportunity to diagnose Alison’s stroke earlier was missed.

“This matter is ongoing and the Trust cannot comment any further whilst investigations continue.”

Alison’s family and their legal team are marking Stroke Awareness Month by highlighting the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

Rachelle Mahapatra, specialist medical negligence lawyer representing Alison and her family said: “The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Alison and her family, having to deal with the life-changing effects of her stroke. She is now largely house bound because of her disabilities.

“They were then left with unanswered questions as to whether or not she should have been treated when she first attended hospital.

"While nothing can make up for their ordeal, we’re pleased to have secured them with the answers they deserve.

“Alison’s story is a reminder of the importance to be aware of the signs of a stroke and take appropriate action at all times.”

Jon said: “Alison started complaining of a really bad headache which was getting stronger and stronger, as well as slight numbness in her left arm and leg and that she couldn’t stand up properly.

“I was convinced she was having a stroke so I called 999, but then she was sent back home. Within two days, she was a lot worse and was eventually diagnosed, but by then the damage was permanent.

“Before the stroke, Alison was fit and healthy and we enjoyed life as a family. Sadly, that’s a thing of the past for us now, and seeing my loving wife struggle day after day is heart-breaking.

"Our lives have changed forever.”