A healthy 25-year-old woman suffered a stroke triggered by the contraceptive pill after bungling medics failed to spot a telltale symptom.
Danielle Jones had attended her local GP practice on October 7, 2020, reporting intense headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light.
However, she also complained of suffering visual disturbances, known as aura, which is a key sign that a patient is at risk from a stroke.
Six months later, Danielle, from Rugeley, began complaining of pins and needles and loss of sensation down her left side.
She collapsed on April 4, 2021 and was rushed to hospital where CT and MRI scans revealed she had suffered a stroke.
Danielle Jones had attended her local GP practice who neglected to spot her risk factors
Following her diagnosis, she instructed medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care.
The GP practice, through NHS Resolution, admitted there had been ‘a failure to cease’ Danielle’s combined contraceptive pill.
It also admitted that had the pill been stopped, Danielle’s stroke ‘would have been avoided’ adding it was ‘very sorry for the shortcomings in care provided.’
Under UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use guidelines, a migraine with aura at any age of a person taking the pill was classed as a category four incident – the highest rating.
This means that it ‘represents an unacceptable health risk and should not be prescribed.’
The practice apologised for the ‘error’, saying it was ‘committed to learning, improving the quality of care and reducing the risk of this type of incident happening again.’
Danielle’s lawyer Tom Fletcher said: ‘The past three-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for Danielle as she tries to come to terms with having had a stroke at such a young age and how this has impacted her life.
‘While nothing will ever change what she’s been through, we welcome the GP practice’s admission and confirmation that it intends to learn lessons from what happened.
‘We’re now working with the practice to reach a settlement which will ensure Danielle receives the specialist care and support she needs to maximise her recovery.
‘In the meantime, her story outlines the devastating consequences of stroke and how it’s vital that patient safety is improved to help prevent others from suffering like Danielle.
‘Danielle’s case, in particular, highlights the importance of patients being under a doctor’s care when it comes to the contraceptive pill.
‘It’s now readily available on the high street, with people able to pick it up from their local chemist, and there’s a potential for this to cause issues for those taking it if they aren’t appropriately monitored.’
Danielle (pictured after her stroke) is now instructing lawyers to investigate her care
Danielle, 29, is sharing her story as part of World Stroke Day on Tuesday (29/10).
Before suffering a stroke, Danielle worked as Business Development Executive.
She also went to the gym twice-a-week and enjoyed socialising with friends.
Since her stroke, Danielle suffers fatigue and memory problems as well as physical problems.
She is engaged and relies heavily on her fiancé, Stuart, 29, and parents, Mark and Kerry, aged 60 and 56, for support.
Danielle said: ‘I’d never heard of anyone having a stroke at my age, so it came as a huge shock when I was told what had happened and it took a long time for me to comprehend what it could mean for my future.
‘I had always enjoyed working out and seeing friends, but after the stroke I found it a lot tougher.
‘Some days, I even struggle to just get out of the house and my mental health has really dipped as a result.
‘I’m so thankful for the support I’ve had, but to this day I still wonder how different things would have been if my pill had have been stopped when it should have been.
‘Sadly, I can’t change anything, but I wanted to share my story and the signs to look out for.
‘Not for one minute did I ever think my contraceptive pill could lead to a stroke, so I’m sure there are others out there also unaware.
‘While I know I’ll never fully be the same as I was before the stroke, all I want now is to get back to living my life as best I can.’
The main symptoms of a stroke can include a drooping face, arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion and migraines.
