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Teenager’s Brain Injury Recovery “Stagnating” Due to Insufficient Care, Stepfather Claims
Concerns are mounting over the rehabilitation of a teenage boy who sustained a serious brain injury after a pier jump in Margate. The stepfather of 16-year-old Jack Dolan asserts that the local healthcare team is “not helping him adequately,” resulting in a “stalling” of his progress. Jack endured the brain damage in June 2024 while attempting a front flip from the 26-foot Stone Pier in the Kent coastal town. Dave Dolan, 35, Jack’s stepfather, described the “devastating” incident that unfolded as the teenager spent a day at the beach with companions. “His friends initially believed he was joking around… but when he started to sink, they began shouting,” he recounted.
Pier Jump Leads to Critical Brain Damage
The adolescent was rescued by a nearby kayaker after being submerged for eight minutes, effectively undergoing drowning, according to reports. Jack was then airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London for urgent medical treatment, where his family received a grave prognosis.
Dire Initial Prognosis
They were reportedly warned that Jack was “brain dead” with minimal prospects of survival, and even if he were to regain consciousness, he might remain in a vegetative state. Jack subsequently spent several weeks in a coma and intensive care unit.
Dave explained that Jack suffered “complete brain damage, affecting every part of his brain to the most severe extent possible.” However, the family received a glimmer of hope a month after the accident.
Emergence of Cognitive Function
Despite experiencing pain from a urine infection, Jack managed to grasp his mother’s wrist and vocalize the word “help.” Dave stated that “even though it was distressing,” this event was an encouraging sign of cognitive ability.
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Rehabilitation and Initial Progress
Following his discharge from the hospital, the teenager was admitted to The Children’s Trust rehabilitation center from September to January. During this period, he made further advancements, progressing to the point where he could articulate up to 15 words, utilize eye-gaze technology, communicate using “yes” and “no” cards, and even kick a ball.
Dave highlighted that Jack could now also sit upright unaided, raise his arm, scratch his head, and reposition himself in bed.
In January, Jack was able to return to his family home, which had been adapted for accessibility. He is currently under the care of his mother, Lisa, along with his siblings Faith, 10, and Grace, nine.
Jack also underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy in an attempt to aid the repair of his brain cells.
Claims of Inadequate Community Care
However, Dave now contends that Medway Council and Medway Community Healthcare’s insufficient care since Jack’s return home is impeding his rehabilitation.
Expressing his disappointment, Dave asserted: “They are simply not providing him with adequate assistance; the community care team is essentially leaving him to deteriorate in bed.”
He further voiced dissatisfaction with the council, claiming Jack was “making substantial progress but now appears to have plateaued due to a lack of support from the council.”
Dave recounted Jack’s aspirations for the future, which have been put on hold by the catastrophic injury: “It is heart-wrenching; he should currently be initiating his application paperwork for the Royal Marines and preparing for his GCSEs.”
“Instead, he is relearning to walk and talk… or rather, he is not, because he is not receiving the necessary support,” he stated.
Dave mentioned that Jack had been receiving daily physiotherapy sessions every weekday at The Children’s Trust, but alleges that Medway Community Healthcare has only offered them 20 sessions for the entire year.
He claims this situation prompted the family to purchase 50 sessions with a local private physiotherapist, funded by donations from a GoFundMe page that has accumulated nearly £3,000 to date.
Dave emphasizes the critical nature of this period in Jack’s recovery, stating: “He requires intervention now; the initial two years following a brain injury are the most crucial, and currently, he is not receiving the support he needs. His progress has significantly decelerated since leaving The Children’s Trust.”
“It’s appalling – if his life were at immediate risk, he would receive considerably more support,” he claimed.
“He will invariably live with some level of disability and brain damage, but the next 18 months are vital,” Dave emphasized. “With appropriate intervention and support, he could potentially be walking and talking to some extent by the time he reaches 20.”
Council and Healthcare Provider Respond
A Medway Council spokesperson stated: “Having been informed of these concerns, we have contacted Jack’s mother to fully understand the family’s perspective. Jack’s social care plan was established in January and scheduled for review later this month. However, we will expedite this review to ensure the appropriate level of social care support is in place.”
“We will also convene a multi-disciplinary meeting with partner agencies to discuss any additional broader support that may be required beyond social care.”
Tracy Webb, Assistant Director, Children’s and Planned Services at Medway Community Healthcare, commented: “We are providing regular appointments for Jack Dolan based on his assessed clinical needs. These appointments align with national guidelines and recommendations regarding recovery and ongoing care following a severe brain injury. In collaboration with our colleagues at Medway Council, we are committed to making this care and support as consistent, patient-focused, and adaptable as possible.”
“We are already in communication with the Dolan family regarding Jack’s care and the concerns raised; and will continue to collaborate with them to identify the optimal solution for Jack.”