Improvement to stroke services in Bexley announced

From 2^nd December 2024 Bexley residents who suffer a stroke or suspected stroke will be taken to Darent Valley Hospital for treatment. This new Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit and service will ensure fast access to specialist stroke services. The faster someone receives specialised stroke care, the greater their chances of recovery and survival. This means:

• For 99% of the Bexley population travel time to Darent Valley Hospital is better or equal to previous transfer locations by the London Ambulance Service
• Patients will be treated in a Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit at Darrent Valley Hospital, ensuring rapid assessment, immediate CT scans, and clot-busting treatment (if needed) within 30 minutes of arrival.
• After the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit, patients will move to an Acute Stroke Unit at the same hospital, offering seven-day therapy services and specialised multidisciplinary care.

This change is the result of an extensive review of stroke services across Kent and Medway, emphasising the need for consolidated specialist units to save lives and reduce disability.

Councillor Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley said: “When a person suffers a stroke, it is imperative that they receive expert care as soon as possible to mitigate its impact. Bexley residents should receive the right care in the right place at the right time.”

“The thorough review carried out by partner organisations has taken into account a number of key factors to ensure that the level of care a stroke patient receives is appropriate, beneficial to their ongoing care and gives them the best chance of a successful recovery.”

Diana Braithwaite, Place Executive Lead for Sout East London Integrated Care Board, Bexley said: “Working in partnership with Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust and NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board – we are committed to ensuring that the health needs of our residents are at the forefront of any service improvements. We are pleased to announce that these new arrangements are now in place for access to Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit and will commence from 2 December 2024.”

Dr Tom Clark, Chief Medical Officer for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: “We were thrilled to open the new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) at Darent Valley Hospital in September this year. Here, a dedicated team of stroke specialists – consultants, nurses, therapists, and dietitians – work together to provide rapid, round-the-clock care in the critical first 72 hours after a stroke diagnosis. With cutting-edge assessments and personalised treatment plans, our goal is to stabilise patients and ensure they receive the care they need, whether in hospital or the community.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why have services been moved from the Princess Royal Hospital to Darent Valley Hospital?

• A thorough and extensive review was carried out to ensure the reconfiguration benefitted Bexley patients. Analysis showed that for 99% of the Bexley population travel time to Darent Valley Hospital is better or equal to previous transfer locations (Princess Royal Hospital).

What services do Darent Valley Hospital Stroke Services offer?

The Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit at Darent Valley Hospital will ensure that patients:

• receive dedicated expert care, including immediate assessment.
• access to a CT scan and clot-busting drugs (if appropriate) within 30 minutes of arrival at the hospital.
• They will then be moved to the Acute Stroke Unit on the same site. Acute Stroke Units are for subsequent (after 72 hours) hospital care.
• These units offer ongoing specialist care with seven-day therapies services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics input) and effective multi-disciplinary team working.

Signs of a stroke:

Stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. If you experience or spot any one of the symptoms below, don’t wait. Call 999 straight away.

How to identify a stroke

The FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) is a test to quickly identify the three most common signs of stroke.

• Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully and keep them there?
• Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
• Time to call 999: if you see any one of these signs.

To find out more about the signs of a stroke and what to do in an emergency visit: Stroke: Signs and Symptoms

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