London hospital has country's best stroke unit

The Royal Free Hospital has the best stroke unit in the country, according to a report today by the Royal College of Physicians.

The mortality rate has been halved in four years at the Hampstead hospital and is 16 per cent compared to 24 per cent nationally.

Dr Sheldon Stone says patients are transferred quickly from A&E to the specialist unit, where they receive expert care from a team of different doctors.

He added: "This means that they can get the specialist care they need.

"There is little doubt that an adequately resourced stroke unit saves lives."

Patients are initially treated in the acute unit at the Royal Free.

Some can go straight home from there but others who need more rehabilitation are transferred to Queen Mary's House, part of the trust.