Trust remains in top 25 per cent for stroke care
17-May-2011
Stroke care provided by The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust has been ranked in the top 25 per cent of best performers in the UK - for the second year running. The Trust scored 100% for acute care in the section of the audit that rates the organisation of our services, as well as an overall 93% score for the process of care in the clinical section of the audit.
The national audit on the standards of stroke care is undertaken every two years by the Royal College of Physicians and covers all eligible stroke services provided in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Stroke care across the capital has been revolutionised in the two years since the last Sentinel audit. Northwick Park Hospital now provides 24/7 stroke specialist care in a new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. This means the Trust is able to provide thrombolysis (clot busting drugs) to 13% of our patients. This is a dramatic increase and compares very favourably with 5% across the country.
Every Trust is assessed on a range of measures covering the whole inpatient journey. Our results show that patients are getting the assessment and treatment they need promptly, with 98% of patients treated on the stroke unit, very low rates of acute complications, improved user involvement and multidisciplinary team working.
Dr David Cohen, lead stroke consultant at the Trust, said: “The results of this audit are hugely satisfying for us because it proves we have maintained the high standards we have set ourselves. We will continue to set the pace for stroke care excellence as a hyper-acute stroke unit at Northwick Park providing a quality specialist service.”
Dr Cohen added: "People should remember that it is better to prevent a stroke than to be treated for one. But when one occurs, early diagnosis and treatment is vital to ensure the best possible recovery.”
He added that anyone who notices the symptoms of stroke should call 999. Warning signs include facial or arm weakness and speech problems.
ENDS.