Public consultation launched on reshaping stroke services across Northern Ireland
A public consultation on reshaping stroke services has been launched by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
The consultation includes plans to create specialised Hyperacute Stroke Units offering 24/7 access to faster diagnosis and cutting edge treatments which aim to significantly reduce disability and save more lives.
The proposed new network of Hyperacute stroke units will ensure that patients have access to the best possible care in regional centres of excellence no matter where they live or what time they are admitted.
It will lead to increased use of the clot busting Thrombolysis. The reforms will also support greater access to Thrombectomy, the groundbreaking procedure that removes a clot from the brain.
Thrombectomy is currently available at the RVH from Monday to Friday, over limited hours. The Hyperacute network model is essential to allow the expansion of Thrombectomy to a 24 hour, seven day a week service and to ensure that appropriate patients from across Northern Ireland can receive this life-changing treatment.
The public consultation offers six potential new models of care, with potential networks ranging from three Hyperacute Stroke Units to five.
Currently, there are eight acute hospitals routinely providing Thrombolysis to stroke patients.
Despite the dedication of our staff to provide high quality care within available resources, most of our hospitals currently struggle to consistently meet national best practice standards of care for stroke patients.
Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly (pictured) said: “We have an exciting opportunity to change services for the better, protecting many more people from the devastating consequences of stroke.
“We can’t secure these improvements without reshaping current provision.
“Our hospital stroke services are currently too thinly spread. Too many units are struggling to maintain sustainable quality care and staffing levels.
“Establishing Hyperacute Stroke Units is vital to ensure we keep pace with advances in treatment and provide the best possible treatment.
“The principle of consolidating care is backed by stroke charities, expert research and the proven success of reforms introduced in London and Manchester.”
The consultation on Reshaping Stroke Care will run for 12 weeks. It follows a pre-consultation by the Health & Social Care Board and Public Health Agency in 2017.
The consultation paper also outlines planned improvements in the treatment of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as mini-stroke, as well as improvements to community-based stroke care.
The consultation also proposes extending the HEMS air ambulance service to coordinate with emergency road transport for patients with strokes and other conditions in remote rural areas to ensure they arrive at hospital for treatment as quickly as possible.
The public consultation is available to download here: www.health-ni.gov.uk/rehaping-stroke-care
Picture (c) Liam McBurney / PA Wire.
