Stroke

The Stroke Unit at the Royal Surrey County Hospital is committed to providing the best treatment and care possible to its stroke patients.

There are 24 beds on the stroke and neurology unit on Hindhead ward providing hyperacute stroke and neurology services, supported with cardiac monitoring and specialist nursing and consultant care. 

The Sentinel Stroke Audit 2008/9 shows that the Royal Surrey is the top provider of stroke services in Surrey and in the top 25% of hospitals in the country.

Particular achievements highlighted include 100% of patients receieving a brain scan within 24 hours of their stroke and 100% of patients receiving specialist stroke drugs including Thrombolysis within 48 hours of their stroke, helping patients to make the best recovery.

Our stroke specialists are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide acute stroke services and to evaluate those patients suitable for Thrombolysis using a drug that can help restore blood flow to the brain in particular types of stroke.

Click here for more information about the medical team

Daily consultant-led acute stroke team review to facilitate early and accurate clinical diagnosis and early access to multi-disciplinary stroke unit care.

Rapid access TIA/Neuro-vascular clinic – service currently under review to move to 7 day service.

Stroke Nurse Specialist - Ailsa Hutchings – provides support and information for patients and their families throughout their stroke journey.

24 hour Thrombolysis service

Telemedicine project – aimed at supporting our Thrombolysis service by providing early specialist stroke review during the acute assessment.

Multi-disciplinary stroke specialist team – comprising stroke specific physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and dietetics.  Recently developed rehabilitation facilities adjacent to the stroke unit.

Weekly communications clinic – Dedicated Wednesday afternoon clinic for patients and relatives to discuss their progress and diagnosis with members of the stroke team.

Specialist Neuroradiology – we have excellent access to CT and MRI imagining to support out clinical care.

Stroke specialist research nurse - Caroline Lawlor was recently appointed to support our involvement in national stroke clinical trials together with the South East Clinical Research Network.  All stroke patients may be approached for their voluntary involvement in these trials as part of our ongoing commitment to research in stroke disease.