Almost a year after a stroke, St. Anthony woman is still being denied rehab

Tony Smith, a resident of St. Anthony, N.L., has taken on the role of a physiotherapist to help his wife, Patsy Smith, regain mobility in the limbs on the left side of her body. Despite not being a professional physiotherapist, Tony has been diligently following the tips given by a visiting physiotherapist to assist his wife in her rehabilitation journey.

Patsy, 71, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on Dec. 30, 2023, which left her unable to move her left side. Initially, her prognosis was grim, with doctors in the small community hospital indicating that they were not equipped to handle her condition. Despite a family doctor’s request for a medevac to transfer Patsy to St. John’s for specialized care, the requests were denied, and she was placed in palliative care.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Patsy began to show signs of improvement as the bleeding in her brain stopped. While the hospital staff acknowledged that they were not equipped to provide the necessary care, they encouraged the family to advocate for Patsy to receive treatment from a neurologist or specialist in St. John’s. Unfortunately, over 10 months later, Patsy has yet to receive the recommended care.

With the help of her husband, Patsy has been making slow progress in her recovery, focusing on range of motion movements and core muscle strength. Despite the lack of formal rehabilitation, Patsy has regained some independence, being able to speak, eat independently, and maintain cognitive function.

After a specialist recommended aggressive rehabilitation at the Miller Centre in St. John’s, Patsy’s application was denied twice before the recommendation was made. The specialist noted Patsy’s stable condition and the need for intense physiotherapy to aid in her recovery. However, the health authorities stood firm in their decision to deny Patsy access to rehab.

As Patsy prepares to be discharged from the hospital, her daughter, Tara Tucker, is advocating for her mother to receive the necessary care to help her transition back home. Despite reaching out to the provincial government for assistance, Tara has faced roadblocks in securing the proper rehabilitation services for her mother.

The situation has garnered attention in the House of Assembly, with PC Leader Tony Wakeham questioning the government’s decision to deny Patsy access to rehab. Despite the government’s assurance of having well-educated medical professionals, the family continues to struggle to access the care Patsy needs.

Tara feels that residents of rural Newfoundland are being overlooked in the healthcare system, and she is determined to fight for her mother’s right to rehabilitation. With no clear path forward, the family remains committed to advocating for Patsy’s well-being and independence.