Innovation in stroke & trauma care will save hundreds of lives

Stroke and major trauma care could be revolutionised in London if new proposals currently out to public consultation are adopted.

Stroke is the second biggest killer in the capital and the most common cause of disability – around 11,500 Londoners suffer a stroke each year, about one person every hour.  However, the quality of care currently available in London can vary greatly with only three out of 30 London hospitals treating 90 per cent of patients in a dedicated unit.

Time is a crucial factor when treating stroke victims.  The best stroke care means rapid access to a CT scan and, if appropriate, immediate treatment with clot-busting drugs.  If thrombolysis – the use of clot busting drugs – can be given within three hours of a stroke, the risk of brain injury and lasting disability can be greatly reduced, improving a patient’s chances of making a full recovery.

Under the proposals made by Healthcare for London, expert clinical care and the latest technology would be concentrated in designated super-centres to ensure fast and leading expert care when patients need it the most.

Healthcare for London is the ten year programme of healthcare reform run on behalf of all of London’s 31 Primary Care Trusts.  As part of the consultation, Londoners are being asked to consider the location and coverage of potential sites for eight specialist hyper-acute stroke units and four major trauma centres, which would treat the most life-threatening cases, such as serious road traffic accidents and gunshot wounds.  The public consultation will end on 8 May 2009.

Dr Andy Mitchell, medical director for NHS London said: “By assigning designated centres, we can concentrate expertise to deliver better quality services with improved outcomes for patients. 

“These centres will become magnets for talent with state-of-the-art equipment and specialist teams who are equipped to deal with the most complex and serious of cases.  The proposals will also see increased investment in stroke and trauma care to lead innovation and provide world-class care for London.”