Specialist stroke units for Londoners
Thursday, 03 December, 2009
More people are calling 999 across the capital about suspected strokes following
a national campaign. Figures released last month showed that the London Ambulance Service saw a 42 per cent increase in stroke calls in the four months after the start of the Department of Health's act F.A.S.T. campaign, which was launched at the Service's headquarters in February.
Stroke patients across the capital will benefit from being taken straight to a specialist hospital from April 2010. Eight hyper-acute stroke units (HASUs) will operate 24/7 in London - patients will have quick access to a CT scan and advanced treatment.
London Ambulance Service Medical Director Fionna Moore said: "This is really good news for Londoners. Under the new arrangements, stroke patients will be taken straight to a hospital where they will immediately receive the best possible treatment from expert clinicians."
