Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group has agreed to changes to reorganise and improve stroke services in the area.
The plans, drawn up by clinicians and staff from across the Healthier Together partnership and informed by stroke survivors, have been designed to ensure more people survive and live with less disability following a stroke.
More information is available here – Stroke services consultation – Healthier Together (bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk)
The approved plans are set out with the Decision-Making Business Case (DMBC) and include changes to:
- Emergency Treatment, through the establishment of a single Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Southmead Hospital, which will provide emergency treatment for everyone across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
- Ongoing hospital treatment, through one acute stroke unit established next to the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at Southmead Hospital. A specialist stroke workforce will be retained at the Bristol Royal Infirmary to support people with specialist needs who cannot be transferred to the Southmead Hospital units.
- Inpatient rehabilitation through the establishment of two Stroke Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Units. One unit will be located at the Weston General Hospital site and a second unit will be located at South Bristol Community Hospital.
- Enhanced community rehabilitation through investment into a comprehensive Integrated Community Stroke Service. This will provide improved support in people’s homes and includes Life After Stroke services.
Implementation of the new services will be phased, with preparation beginning in April. The aim is to have all new services in place by November 2022.
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.