'More hospital staff needed' to improve stroke victim care
Thursday 22nd July 2010
More needs to be done by the NHS to address the issues surrounding care for stroke victims, according to a new report.
The Vascular Society and the Royal College of Physicians jointly carried out the research, which found that mini-stroke victims are waiting too long to receive surgery that could prevent another, more serious attack.
A lack of hospital staff and equipment were among the reasons cited for delays to treatment.
Mini-stroke victims should be given an operation to unblock the arteries in the neck within 14 days of exhibiting symptoms in order for it to be effective.
However, the report revealed that the average wait for such surgery was 28 days, with significant regional variations.
Following the audit of stroke treatment, the Vascular Society has called for vascular surgery to become a recognised specialisation.
Cliff Shearman, consultant vascular surgeon and president of the Vascular Society, told the Guardian more needs to be done in the this area.
"The audit shows that, while progress is being made on developing clinical teams and specialist nursing, not all patients with vascular disease receive the priority and standard of care they should expect," he stated.
Written by Alex Franklin Stortford
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