Southend to become hyper-acute stroke unit for Essex
10:00pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News
SOUTHEND could become a major hub providing specialist treatment for stroke patients under new proposals.
The towns hospital, already with a first class stroke unit, is recommended as one of three future hyper-acute stroke units for Essex.
The others would be Colchester and Chelmsford. All five hospitals in Essex including Basildon would continue to have an acute stroke unit but would effectively be downgraded.
Hyper-acute stroke units in the three hospitals would give all patients in Essex immediate access to top stroke specialists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The hyper-acute units would provide critical care for patients in the first three crucial days of having a stroke.
After that, patients would return to their nearest stroke unit, if they needed further specialist care, or they would return home with a full rehabilitation programme.
Southend is already providing this enhanced service and has received widespread and national recognition.
Its stroke unit was been named the best in the East of England and the Midlands last year for its swift and effective treatment of patients in danger of having a potentially fatal stroke.
Original post:
Southend to become hyper-acute stroke unit for Essex