Stroke patients in Ayrshire are reaping the benefits of the new acute stroke unit in University Hospital Crosshouse.

The unit, which looks after seriously ill patients who have suffered acute stroke, was opened in November 2016 and is making a positive difference to the long-term outlook for patients.

In the past, patients were often taken to Glasgow for thrombolysis treatment. Now, patients presenting with a suspected stroke receive the first 48 to 72 hours of their hyperacute care, including thrombolysis, at Crosshouse.

Dr Sandy Ghosh, Lead Consultant for Stroke said: “The key to treating stroke is speed: the quicker we can start treatment, the better the outcome for patients.

“So, if we can start treatment within four and a half hours of onset of symptoms, the patient has a better chance of making a full recovery.”

The acute stroke unit is fully equipped with state of the art equipment, including a telemedicine system which allows the medical and nursing team to communicate with an acute stroke consultant 24 hours a day.

The unit consists of 14 hyperacute beds, six acute beds, a four-bed rapid assessment room as well as an outpatient transient ischaemic attack (TIA) clinic, relatives’ room and Allied Health Professional (AHP) therapy room.

Christine Somerville, Senior Charge Nurse in the acute stroke unit, explains: “The rapid assessment unit and TIA clinic allows us to see patients quickly, monitor their symptoms, ensure rapid investigations to facilitate treatment where necessary.”

Patients and families have been quick to praise the staff in the unit, including these comments:

“Thanks to the skill of the consultant – not to mention the amazing clot-busting drug – my wife was able to walk out of Crosshouse a mere 75 hours later.”

“The staff are all amazing and genuinely care for patients. They looked after me and my family in my distressed state.”

In Ayrshire, there are more than 1,000 strokes or mini strokes every year.