Stroke services

The Stroke Unit (Ward 53 and 54) based at Kings Mill Hospital is a 35-bedded ward that cares for patients who have had an acute stroke and provides rehabilitation following initial treatment.

They provide a thrombolysis service ('clot busting drug') 24 hours a day 7 days a week, which we use to treat a stroke caused by a blood clot and the onset of the stroke is within four and a half hours, as well as other criteria which is taken into consideration by the stroke consultants.

Where clinically appropriate, the team refer patients to the Queen's Medical Centre, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 12pm for Mechanical Thrombectomy ('clot retrieval') which is a procedure where a 'guide wire' is used to remove the clot causing the stroke (used in conjunction with thrombolysis usually and has certain criteria too).

The service also provides a ‘Virtual Ward’ for patients who could be discharged but require further stroke imaging for diagnostic purposes (MRI or Carotid Doppler). Patients can be discharged from inpatient care and receive this imaging within 72 hours as though they were still in an inpatient setting. This is then reviewed, and any changes to management plans are communicated with the patient and their GP.

The service participates in the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), which collates data on certain aspects of stroke care. This audit is a national audit which all Acute Stroke Centres participate in.

The team also run a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack or ‘mini stroke’) clinic on the unit, where patients whose symptoms have resolved and are deemed as high risk will be seen the next day (Monday to Friday at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Saturday and Sundays at Nottingham University Hosptals) by a stroke consultant and have appropriate investigations and results all in the same day.

Alongside the Stroke Unit, there is an Integrated Community Stroke Service that provides rehabilitation for patients in their own homes/in the community following discharge. This is an interdisciplinary team offering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, nursing and psychology input. There is a criteria to access the service, with referrals being made from the stroke Unit.

The Integrated Community Stroke Service provides specialist rehabilitation for patients in their own home for up to six months following a stroke.