A new video triage system aimed at transforming stroke care is being launched in Dorset and Somerset in a phased roll out over the coming weeks.
Pre-Hospital Video Triage (known as PVT) enables ambulance clinicians to speak via video link to stroke specialists in a hospital.
This allows ambulance clinicians to work with hospital based medical teams to decide which hospital is best placed to meet the patient’s needs. Enabling hospital clinicians to see the patient via the video link means that tests to confirm a stroke, including CT and MRI scans, can be prepared for their arrival, reducing the time to make a diagnosis.
Initial trials of PVT in Dorset found it to be successful in getting patients to the right place first time – whether that be a specialist stroke unit or a hospital’s emergency department. In some cases, the joint discussion on the video call enabled a potential stroke to be ruled out, enabling patients to remain at home.
“We all know that getting timely treatment, and importantly in the right place, is in the best interest of a stroke patient and this system helps us to make that judgement much quicker.” said Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, NHS Dorset and NHS Somerset Integrated Care Boards.
Chris Turner, Assistant Director of Operations for Somerset at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For our ambulance clinicians, this level of instant expert advice via a video link could speed recovery and help save lives.
“It will also help us to determine the right place to take our patients, ensuring we’re providing the best possible care in the critical time period following a stroke.”
The project has the strong support of the national Stroke Association. In a recent report it said that technology like this could “transform stroke care and boost survival rates”.
The Stroke Association has said that innovations like PVT need to be extended “to ensure that every stroke survivor benefits from the incredible medical and digital advances we now have”.
Strokes are a leading cause of death and complex disabilities for adults in the UK, and the NHS is committed to helping people affected by this condition. PVT is seen as part of that.
Dr Bernie Marden said: “Introducing the PVT project is part of a wider plan to reorganise and improve stroke care throughout Somerset. We are committed to finding the best solution for all stroke patients in Somerset.”
The phased roll out of PVT follows the centralisation of emergency stroke care in Somerset and Dorset, with the NHS investing in improvements to create two 24/7 Hyper Acute Stroke Units which will open on the 9 September, to provide faster access to treatment – reducing the risk of disability following a stroke.
The new PVT system and new specialist stroke units have been set up at Dorset County Hospital and at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. There will also be a new improved acute stroke unit at Yeovil District Hospital with enhanced rehabilitation facilities. This will offer patients living locally the chance to continue their recovery closer to home, once they’ve had their initial emergency care.
The new hyper acute stroke units will allow stroke patients from across the region to access emergency treatment, 24/7, giving them a chance to break down that clot and have the best possible result.
The NHS continues to raise awareness of the signs of a stroke, encouraging people to dial 999 immediately in response to any sign – even if it doesn’t seem like much.
A stroke strikes every five minutes. Every year in the UK, there are around 100,000 strokes, causing 38,000 stroke-related deaths, and it is a leading cause of disability.
The first sign of a stroke might not seem serious. Like not being able to raise your arm, or struggling to smile, or slurring when you speak. Stroke symptoms can be less dramatic, painful or obvious than you might expect. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, any sign of a stroke is always an emergency, so call 999 immediately if you or someone else experiences a single symptom.
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. Acting FAST on any sign of a stroke gives stroke patients quicker access to specialist treatment that can be life-saving and could reduce the long-term effects such as a disability. Whether it is a friend, loved one or even a passer-by, dialling 999 quickly saves lives.
