Patients across the East of England are set to benefit from a major improvement in stroke care, with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust delivering a regional 24/7 mechanical thrombectomy service.
The service means people suffering the most severe types of stroke can receive potentially life-saving treatment at any hour of the day or night.
Mechanical thrombectomy is a specialist procedure in which a blood clot is removed from a large blood vessel in the brain, rapidly restoring blood flow and helping to prevent permanent brain injury or death. For many patients, it can mean the difference between returning to independent living and facing lifelong disability.
The 24/7 rollout follows years of preparation and collaboration, involving colleagues from stroke services, radiology and anaesthetics and theatres. CUH had previously offered the service on alternate weeks.
Patients eligible for thrombectomy will be transferred urgently to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment before being returned to their local hospital within 24–48 hours for ongoing care and recovery.
Dr Liz Warburton, Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine, said:
This service has been long in the making and represents a tremendous collaborative effort across several divisions. The impact on patient outcomes will be profound — thrombectomy can dramatically improve the outcome and quality of life for those affected by a severe stroke.
Dr Liz Warburton
The achievement reflects the strong partnerships between CUH and hospitals across the region, working together to deliver first-class, patient-centred stroke care.
There are 26 centres in the country that offer thrombectomy, but CUH is the only one covering the East of England.
- Brain image by Loaivat on Pixabay