Prue Leith, 86, has reassured fans that she is "alive and kicking" following a recent hospital visit due to a suspected stroke. The television personality shared an update on Instagram on Friday, just days after the incident.
Leith was on holiday in Yorkshire when she experienced difficulty speaking, describing her words as an "incomprehensible jumble of disconnected words." Her husband, John Playfair, called emergency services after becoming concerned. While paramedics and hospital staff performed tests, including a CT scan, Leith maintained that her symptoms were related to a migraine.
Migraine or Stroke?
According to Leith, the speech difficulties followed a migraine attack that also caused temporary vision loss and visual disturbances. Despite her belief it was a migraine, her husband and medical professionals urged caution due to the potential for stroke symptoms, especially given her age. "Everyone was determined to be safe not sorry," she stated.
At Harrogate Hospital, Leith's ability to speak returned, and the scan results ultimately confirmed she had not suffered a stroke. She was released in the early hours of the morning.
Recounting the Experience
Leith recounted the experience in her column for The Oldie magazine. She noted her history with migraines, recalling a childhood incident at age nine that also affected her speech. She decided to share her hospital visit to highlight the work of the National Health Service (NHS), praising the staff for their professionalism and care despite the pressures they face.
"Although a patient may have to wait 'forever', when you are seen to, it is as if you are 'the only patient in A&E,'" Leith said, complimenting the "cheerful, sympathetic, polite, helpful and professional" demeanor of the medical staff she encountered, including a nurse who was working after a 10-hour shift.