Hospitals are above the national average in areas of stroke care

Stroke patients in Sheffield can expect to be seen by a specialist as soon as they arrive to hospital and the number of patients scanned within 24 hours is higher than the national average, according to a report published today (17th August 2011).

The Stroke Improvement National Audit Programme (SINAP) collected data for every stroke patient, concentrating on the first 72 hours of admission.

The report also showed that specialists at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals discuss diagnosis and prognosis with the patients and their family more than the national average and the number of patients being thrombolysed (receiving clot busting drugs) is increasing.

Amanda Jones, Stroke Nurse Consultant at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted that our stroke service has been recognised as being above the national average in many areas. This is testament to the success of our move last August which brought all stroke services under one roof to create a specialist centre at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.”

The ambulance service now automatically takes patients suspected of suffering a stroke to the new centre at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The team of stroke specialists then provide assessment and treatment as soon as the patient arrives from the ambulance.

Amanda added: “Although we have performed extremely well in many aspects of patient care, there are still some areas which could benefit from further work, and we have plans in place to focus our attention on where we are performing less well. This will ensure a high quality stroke service in all aspects of care for patients and carers in the future.”


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