Specialist units improve chances for stroke victims

More Londoners who suffer a stroke are getting fast access to life-saving care.

A total of 8,250 patients were taken directly to specialist hospitals by ambulance last year, according to figures published today — the first compiled since the launch of the capital’s eight hyper-acute units two years ago.

The average ambulance journey time takes only one minute longer than to the local A&E department.

Fionna Moore, LAS medical director of the London Ambulance Service, said taking victims to these specialist units gives them the best chance of survival.

She said: “Crews will sometimes bypass local A&E departments, but the slightly longer journey time ultimately means the patient is getting rapid access to the most appropriate treatment.”

PE teacher Peter Banks, 29, suffered a stroke in January this year and was taken to Charing Cross hospital rather than to his local A&E. Specialists at Charing Cross scanned his brain to confirm he was suffering stroke and gave him thrombolysis — a clot-busting drug to restore the flow of blood to the brain. He was discharged five days later and has since returned to work at Acton High School.

Mr Banks said: “Due to my age and level of fitness, I didn’t know what was happening.

“My girlfriend was at church so I called my parents in Sheffield. My speech was slurred and they dialled 999 for an ambulance.”