Sheffield Teaching Hospitals’ stroke service rated amongst the best in the country
The specialist stroke service provided by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as amongst the best in the country in a recent national audit of care.
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital’s regional Hyper- Acute Stroke Unit and Acute Stroke Unit were awarded an ‘A’ rating in the latest Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme report. It is the second consecutive quarter the Trust has attained the top rating. The report, which was undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians between January and March this year, measures the quality of stroke care, from treatment to recovery, and the structure of services against a number of evidence-based standards. The timeliness of specialist physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessments, discharge process and fast access to high quality brain scanning facilities, which are critical in determining the type and severity of strokes as well as the provision of early treatments including clot-busting drugs within the optimum time window, were all cited as key areas in which the Trust was delivering exceptional care. Key achievements included:
The Stroke Pathway Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre, where certain stroke patients who need continued inpatient care are transferred, to continue their specialist rehabilitation in an environment which is closer to home at a critical point in their recovery, also performed highly in the audit:
Dr Amanda Jones, clinical lead for the stroke pathway and stroke nurse consultant at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These results are a fantastic testament to the wider efforts of the team in supporting patients through all phases of their care, from initial diagnosis through to treatment and longer-term rehabilitation. We are never complacent, however, and we will be using this report to look at ways in which we can build on our successes and further improve services in the future.” Around 1,000 patients suffer with a stroke in Sheffield a year, with swift, specialist treatment making a big different in recovery. “Having a stroke is an urgent, medical emergency. If you have any of the three signs described in the FAST test, including a fallen face, inability to raise both arms or keep them there, slurred speech then you should dial 999,” Dr Jones added. “’Time really is brain’ so if you do suspect a stroke, don’t delay or visit or your GP, as the longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the greater the chances of long-term disability of even death.” For more information about the FAST test visit https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/what-are-the-symptoms-of-stroke. ENDS
Photo: A patient being cared for in the acute stroke unit, prior to Covid-19, 2019.
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