OnTheWight were pleased to be able to report last week that life for 29 year old Sam Farren took a turn for the better after she was finally seen by a consultant at Southampton Hospital and given a treatment plan.
After years of back problems and suffering crippling pain, Sam was diagnosed last week with a rare bacterial infection in her spine and placed on a pioneering five-week treatment plan of high-strength anti-biotics.
Her mother, Carol, has been keeping friends updated via Facebook and reported this morning that Sam’s dosage has now been reduced. She is however, still suffering unpleasant side effects from the medication and struggling with the impact of coming off Morphine, which she’s been taking for the last 18 months.
Islanders urged to speak to watchdog
On Monday afternoon, Sam’s parents, Carol and Bob Bridgestock (who you might know from their best-selling crime books under the pen-name RC Bridgestock) met with the body that keeps an eye on health services on the Isle of Wight, Healthwatch.
Although they are confident their daughter is now being dealt with properly, the Bridgestocks were very concerned to hear from many other Islanders over the last couple of weeks with stories of similar experiences.
The problem of hospitals not speaking to each other was highlighted by Carol last week and she says, led to the extended delays and unacceptable stress for her daughter.
Campaigning for all Islanders
Given that, the Bridgestocks haven’t stopped just at Healthwatch.
They’ve met with the Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner and say they will continue to fight for quality healthcare for ALL Island people.
If you have an experience of a breakdown of communication between the IW NHS and hospitals off the Island, please get in touch with Joanna Smith by emailing her [email protected] and sharing your experience.
A huge thanks
Carol and Bob asked OnTheWight to pass on “thanks for the good wishes, prayers and absent healing that we have been sent by so many people”.
