Scots man who collapsed in Florida may never walk again if family can't bring him home
A carpenter who collapsed on a bathroom floor in Florida may never walk again and be ' bedridden for life' if he doesn't get home to Scotland.
Gordon Milloy, from Kilmarnock, now lives in Fort Lauderdale and suffered heart and kidney failure, which triggered multiple strokes on Tuesday, March 4. The 50-year-old is now stuck in the US in HCA Florida JFK Hospital as his family battle to bring him home to Scotland for treatment.
He has a health insurance policy with the Florida Blue, who have offered to place Gordon in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). However, his brother Brian Milloy, 57, believes that a Acute Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) will be more effective in getting him back on his feet.
SNF is usually offered to patients who are too weak or unstable to tolerate intensive therapy and can act as an intermediate option before going forward with IRF.
Brian said: 'The insurance company is denying him access to acute rehabilitation claiming he's not fit enough to complete it - despite doctors saying he's ready to be discharged.
"They are offering Skilled Nursing. It is proving very difficult to find a SNF with dialysis on hand - which he currently requires three times per week as his liver function is still in the balance.
"In Scotland, Gordon will be offered IRF. We need to get him back home.
"Without acute rehab and specialised equipment, he'll likely remain bedridden for the rest of his life. He will basically have no life at all."
His brother Brian also lives in Florida and found Gordon collapsed and clinging to life in his home in early March.
He said: 'Gordon was lying collapsed on the bathroom floor. He had heart and kidney failure which had caused multiple strokes. The doctors reckon his heart was only functioning at 20% at one point.'
Gordon's family now hope to get him back to Scotland where he can get access to NHS care and receive the treatment he needs.
Brian added: "For him to have any sort of life, he needs to be home in Scotland where he has access to the NHS. It is very doubtful that he'll ever be able to work again either. He won't be able to support himself financially in the US.
"We need to get him back to Scotland where he'll receive dialysis, post-stroke care and acute rehabilitation. It would be better all round."
The cost to fly Gordon home through a US medical flights is believed to be around £300,000. Companies in the UK also quoted the family around £100,000 to £150,000.
The family has now found a German firm partnered with Lufthansa, AirAmbulance24, who offered the flight, complete with a stretcher, medical team, and ground transport, for just under £50,000.
Now, Brian has launched a GoFundMe, which has already raised over nearly £21,000, in a desperate bid to raise the funds.
'I'm reaching out to anyone who can help get my brother Gordy back to Scotland for the proper care required to hopefully live a somewhat normal life again,' he said.
'We just want him home. He deserves a chance. He's a gentle giant who's been through hell.'
To support the Milloy family's fight to bring Gordon home, visit their GoFundMe page - https://gofund.me/6e12c439.
Florida Blue were approached for comment but said they couldn't comment on individual cases.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 minutes ago
- The Sun
My blood pressure has been flagged as pre-diabetic – what should I do?
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice. Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader whose blood pressure was flagged as pointing to pre diabetic levels during a routine health check. 2 Q) I RECENTLY had my free health check and my blood pressure was flagged as pointing to pre-diabetic levels. The high number was 126, and the lower number was 86. My health practice advised me to take statins. Could they help? Any other advice? A) IT is great to hear that you had your health check. They are so important because they help you identify silent but dangerous issues with your blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Your blood pressure results seem OK, but it would be a good idea to still look at measures to prevent it getting any higher. Being pre-diabetic relates to a higher-than- normal level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. It should be taken as a warning sign that you need to make some lifestyle changes. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week and eat a healthy and balanced diet, focusing on limiting ultra-processed foods, alcohol and sugary drinks. If you're a smoker, seek support to quit. Statins are medicines used to treat high cholesterol levels and, in doing so, reduce your risk of developing a heart attack or stroke in the future. The good news, though, is that the same lifestyle changes that will help bring down your blood sugar and blood pressure will also help your cholesterol too, and might mean you don't need to take statins.
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm losing weight but it's nothing to do with Mounjaro – my FREE hack requires zero effort and is so simple
A WOMAN has revealed that she has shed 7kg without the help of Mounjaro. Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight. 2 2 And whilst many are overjoyed with the results, some have reported major side effects, including burning skin and kidney problems. Not everyone can get the drug prescribed on the NHS either, so for those looking for an alternative, Cristina Gheiceanu, revealed her little known hack. The blonde beauty, from Switzerland revealed that she has used Chat GPT to help her shed 7kg. Taking to Instagram to explain how she did it, Cristina revealed that she first asked the AI chatbot to help her work out a calorie deficit. However, she said that what helped her the most was using the app to track her daily calorie intake. "Instead of using complicated apps, I just sent a voice message to ChatGPT each morning: what I ate, how many calories I wanted to eat that day — and it did all the work." She explained that, in the beginning, she had to tell the bot how much protein and fibre was in her foods, and how many calories they were. However, once she'd added a food once, it remembered how many calories were in it, meaning it became much quicker to track. "I kept using the same chat, so it became faster and easier every day", she said. Cristina said the best thing about her free hack, is that the chatbot puts everything into a table, so that she can track whether she is missing anything. I lost 4st & reversed my age by 10 years but my secret is NOT Mounjaro - here's my tips to feeling amazing in a bikini "If I am missing something, I just send a photo of my fridge and get suggestions", she said. Cristina's (@cristinagheiceanu) video has likely left many people impressed, as it has racked up over 2.7 million views on the social media platform. Instagram users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the clever hack. One person said: "Thank you so much for sharing this generously with us. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "You look stunning!" A second person said: "I tried using your method and it worked really well! Thank you so much for sharing it. "I used to get stuck and overwhelmed trying to calculate and research detailed nutrition info, it was really hard and confusing. "But tracking food using ChatGPT the way you showed is so much easier, more convenient, and way less stressful." A third added: "I did the same thing. It essentially helped cut out the cost of a nutritionist and helped me lose 20 pounds in a healthy, achievable and maintainable way."
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Brave' doctor defies picket line to treat cancer patients after militant union BLOCKED tests as strike support plummets
THE militant BMA union refused a hospital's plea to allow a doctor to carry out potentially life saving cancer tests. But a hero doctor caught wind and crossed the picket line to help six men waiting for prostate biopsies. 6 6 Health Secretary Wes Streeting blasted the British Medical Association and praised the 'brave' doctor who broke ranks. Milton Keynes University Hospital trust was due to perform biopsies on the six men on Friday. But they faced cancellations after thousands of junior doctors, now called residents, walked out that morning in the long-running row over pay. The trust made a special patient safety request - a derogation - which allows striking doctors return to work if there is a risk to patient safety. The Sun on Sunday understands they were worried about the anxiety and mental health impact on the men who could face significant delays in finding out if they have cancer. Prostate cancer biopsies are also invasive and uncomfortable procedures. The request was signed off by NHS England but the BMA refused to bring anyone in because the request was based on anxiety rather than on clinical concerns, sources claimed. Fortunately, a resident doctor on the picket heard about the row and broke ranks to care for the men. And all six men had their biopsies that day as planned. Mr Streeting - who previously had kidney cancer - said it was 'completely unacceptable' for the BMA to dismiss the impact of a delayed diagnosis. He said: 'As someone who has been through it, I know all too well what a worrying time it can be while you are waiting to see if you will be diagnosed with cancer. NHS doctors strike again TODAY as they demand £600 a month pay hike in 'slap in face to taxpayers' 'Not knowing can be one of the most difficult periods. 'Patients concerned about whether they have cancer and their loved ones want the NHS to provide a diagnosis as quickly as possible. 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families. 'I want to thank the brave resident doctor who broke the strike to ensure these men got the care they deserve.' Dr Victoria Alner, acting Chief Medical Officer at the trust, said: 'Thanks to our staff whose ongoing professionalism and support have enabled us to keep clinics running during the industrial action. 'Our priority is always to provide safe care, and we will continue to do our utmost to minimise disruption for patients.' This time round the NHS is trying to keep as many services as possible running. And the public is being urged to still come forward for care during the walkout. Mr Streeting said the government would "not let the BMA hold the country to ransom". 6 6 6 NHS England said hospitals are aiming to reschedule appointments cancelled due to strikes within two weeks. But Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England's co-national medical director, warned this could have a knock-on impact for other patients. 'Even two weeks is too long for somebody to wait and actually that has an impact on the people who are then displaced at that two week period," she told BBC Breakfast. She apologised to patients facing delays, adding: 'I know that is extremely distressing when that happens, and it can potentially lead to both physical and psychological harm. So I am sorry.' 'People will die' By Len Read IVF pioneer and Labour peer Robert Winston has slammed the doctors' strike and said 'inevitably' a patient will die. The medics, members of the BMA union, walked out on Friday and are not due back until Wednesday morning. Lord Winston, 85, quit the organisation after 61 years, mainly due to his disgust at the industrial action. The BMA wants resident doctors to get a 29 per cent pay rise on top of an average increase of 28.9 per cent over the past three years. Lord Winston fumed: 'If this lasts long, somebody will die. Inevitably they will. Several people are going to have much worse chances of getting cancers treated, and some will be in pain. 'You simply can't allow disruption of services on this scale.' Prof Pandit said three derogations were granted on Friday. Nottingham City Hospital reached an agreement to call a striking doc back from the picket line because babies' lives were at risk. Exemptions were agreed for two doctors to return to the Northern General Hospital. Another agreement was made for two anaesthetists to work at University Hospital Lewisham on Saturday. And one registrar radiologist to cover the acute service at King's College Hospital. The number of resident doctors who have joined picket lines is thought to be down by thousands compared to last year's strikes. Labour handed them the biggest pay award of any public sector service with an average increase of 28.9 per cent over three years. But public support has fallen for the latest round strikes. Despite this, resident doctors are demanding a further 29 per cent rise. A BMA spokesperson said: "This service was not suitable for a derogation as the BMA assessed there was no urgent clinical need. "NHS England was repeatedly warned that encouraging non-urgent elective care would lead to last-minute cancellations - with patients bearing the brunt. "Despite this, they chose to press ahead. We remain focused on ensuring a safe service continues." 6 Leader'srant over Charles'crowning Exclusive by Emily-Jane Heap THE militant union boss at the centre of the resident doctor walkouts has described the King's coronation as 'unnecessary'. British Medical Association leader Tom Dolphin accused the Government of wasting £250million on the May 2023 ceremony. On the day Mr Dolphin, 46, posted: 'A quarter of a billion pounds of public money for an unnecessary and brief ceremony, but they can't find funds for NHS staff.' Critics pointed out that NHS England received more than £3billion per week in funding. They also highlighted how the coronation brought £350million to the hospitality sector while the investiture cost taxpayers £72million. It comes after Dolphin was blasted over resurfaced Brexit comments. In 2019, the London-based consultant anaesthetist criticised Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith for calling Theresa May's request for a Brexit delay 'a national humiliation'. He said: 'This reminds me of the surveys on 'What do you fear most?' — where men say 'humiliation' and women say 'rape/assault'. It is high privilege to be able to conflate embarrassment with actual harm.' Another BMA figure, Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, once ran an IT firm called Spiteful Solutions, with one critic saying the name 'sounds very apt'.
