An elderly man from Devon, John Nicholson, aged 75, is taking legal action against the NHS for more than £1 million after suffering life-changing injuries due to a rare sleep disorder. This condition caused him to physically act out his dreams, leading to a catastrophic fall from bed while experiencing a nightmare.
Four years ago, Mr. Nicholson was jolted out of sleep during a particularly distressing dream, resulting in a headfirst dive from his bed. His partner, Beryl Cole, rushed to assist him after hearing him hit the floor and urgently called for an ambulance when she realized the severity of his injuries.
According to Mr. Nicholson, it took nearly three hours for the ambulance to arrive at their home near Yelverton. The initial response from paramedics involved seating him upright in the ambulance, and he was only laid flat when his condition worsened.
Documents reveal that paramedics described him as ‘dead weight’ and observed he was not attempting to move. Mr. Nicholson asserts that they failed to recognize the seriousness of his injuries, resulting in a delay in proper medical treatment.
Upon arriving at Derriford Hospital just before 10 a.m., he reportedly spent an additional six and a half hours in the ambulance waiting for a CT scan. The scan ultimately confirmed that he had suffered a fracture dislocation of his neck, severely damaging his spinal cord.
Instead of being admitted to the hospital for immediate treatment, Mr. Nicholson remained in the ambulance where a physician advised a hard neck collar late in the day. Remarkably, he endured around twelve hours in an ambulance before finally being admitted for neurological monitoring, during which he began losing movement in his limbs.
The following day, his health deteriorated further when his blood pressure dropped, leading to complete loss of mobility in his arms and legs. Subsequently, he spent three months receiving care at the Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Salisbury, where he was diagnosed with incomplete paraplegia and forced to rely on a wheelchair.
Mr. Nicholson attributes his ongoing symptoms, including persistent numbness and weakness, to alleged medical negligence and is now pursuing damages against both the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
Both trusts have acknowledged partial liability, admitting that inappropriate handling and treatment delays can worsen spinal injuries. Mr. Nicholson also grapples with the challenges posed by Parkinson’s disease and a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder that causes his vivid, often violent nightmares.
Prior to the incident, Mr. Nicholson maintained an active lifestyle, including activities like walking his dog, swimming, and golfing. He describes the drastic impact on his quality of life, which has now been severely compromised due to his health challenges.
The ambulance service recognized a failure in properly immobilizing Mr. Nicholson after the fall, confirming that this was a breach of duty. The hospital trust admitted that he should have undergone full spinal immobilization as a precautionary measure while awaiting further evaluation.
Editor’s Take
This case highlights significant issues in emergency medical responses, particularly regarding how spinal injuries are handled. As treatment delays can exacerbate patient conditions, it emphasizes the need for swift and appropriate care. For those in the healthcare sector, this serves as a critical reminder of their responsibility to ensure patient safety during emergencies.
Source: www.dailymail.com
