Woman ‘stuck in 1996’ after surgery

A woman in her 50s is “trapped in the past” after suffering brain damage when undergoing surgery, a judge has heard.

The woman believed it was 1996 — the year she underwent surgery, Mr Justice Mostyn was told.

And she thought that she was living at her old home with her small children.

Detail of the woman’s condition emerged in a ruling by the judge following a hearing in the Court of Protection — where issues relating to sick and vulnerable people are analysed — in Manchester.

The judge said he had been asked to make decisions on a legal issue relating to the woman’s care arrangements. He did not identify the woman but said she was “severely mentally incapacitated”.

“She suffered brain damage while undergoing surgery... in 1996, when aged only 34,” said the judge.

“This resulted in a subarachnoid haemorrhage and long-term brain damage.”

He added: “ Mentally, she is trapped in the past.

“She believes it is 1996 and that she is living at her old home with her... small children [who are now all adults].

“Her delusions are very powerful and she has a tendency to try to wander off in order to find her small children.”