20th August 2009

Healthcare for London to improve stroke and major trauma services

On 20 July, a Joint Committee of the Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) approved plans to radically improve stroke and major trauma services in London. These plans are expected to save around 500 lives a year as well as reduce long term disability. The JCPCT took its decision following a public consultation undertaken by Healthcare for London.

This decision will result in the creation of:

• Eight new hyper-acute stroke units, linked to 24 local stroke units and 24 TIA (transient ischaemic attack or ‘mini stroke’) units;
• Four new major trauma centres supported by local trauma centres.

Detailed modeling undertaken by Healthcare for London using London Ambulance journey data has demonstrated all Londoners will be able to reach a hyper-acute stroke unit within 30 minutes and a major trauma centre within 45 minutes.

The four major trauma centres will be located at: the Royal London Hospital, St George’s Hospital, King’s College Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital. The eight hyper-acute stroke units will be located at: Northwick Park Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, University College Hospital, St George’s Hospital, King’s College Hospital, The Royal London Hospital, The Princess Royal University Hospital and Queens’ Hospital.

Once the new services are up and running, patients suffering a stroke in London will be taken to their nearest hyper-acute stroke unit where they will stay for up to 72 hours before being transferred to a local stroke unit. Londoners suffering major trauma e.g. head injuries and multiple fractures, will be taken to their nearest major trauma centre for specialist care.

Healthcare for London is confident that these new services will provide all Londoners with world class specialist stroke and major trauma care.

(Source – Commissioning Support for London: www.csl.nhs.uk)

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