The stroke service at the Countess of Chester Hospital is among the top performers in the country, following a national audit.
The data published at the beginning of October shows the Chester stroke team as one of only 14 trusts nationally to achieve an A grade score from the Royal College of Physicians as part of its audit programme, known as SSNAP.
Each year, an estimated 450 people in the West Cheshire and North Wales area will suffer a stroke and be sent to the Countess for treatment.
Stroke survivor Trevor Jones, 65, from Connah’s Quay was brought by ambulance to the hospital in July this year after collapsing while out on an early morning walk.
He says the speed with which he received diagnosis and treatment meant he was back on his feet within days.
Trevor said: “Within minutes of arriving at the Countess I was given clot busting drugs and transferred to The Walton Centre for a specialist surgical procedure to remove a blood clot. Doctors had identified the cause of the stroke as an irregular heartbeat. The diagnosis, procedure and treatment all happened so fast. Without this I might have faced weeks in hospital and a lasting disability. Instead I was back at home with my family within the week.
He added: “My wife made me take things easy for a while, but now I am getting my life back to normal. I’m a very active person, I like walking every day and spending time with my two grandchildren. I’ve even taken up fishing again, a hobby I haven’t pursued in years.”
Consultant Tim Webster said: “Trevor experienced a massive stroke and has been left with almost no remaining symptoms. His total stay in hospital was five days. Without the clot busting drugs, also known as thrombolysis, it would have stretched into weeks and have left a significant disability requiring daily carers or even the need for nursing home care.
“Over the last two years we’ve placed a lot of focus on improvements to stroke care services at the Countess. This top rating in the latest SNNAP audit is truly rewarding and a credit to the hard work of a fantastic multi-disciplinary team.”
Over the last 12 months the Chester based clinical team has introduced a range of new approaches, expanded its team and enhanced its research facilities.
The audit looked at up to 30 different aspects of the patient journey including how quickly a stroke patient is seen in A&E, the speed with which they are transferred to a dedicated stroke unit and the amount of therapy support that is provided as part of their care.
Dr Webster added: “We have made a number of simple, practical and effective changes. We’ve invested further in clinical staff with expertise in stroke care – including having the first advanced neuro vascular practitioner in the country following training in the United States.
"Patients now have more time with therapists especially at weekends, ensuring a faster recovery and earlier discharge home. As a team, we are getting smarter about monitoring real-time performance information on a weekly basis, so we can respond to making service improvements and changes quickly. In addition, we have established closer working links with The Walton Centre allowing patients rapid access to their specialist services when needed.
“It helps that we also have access to a good infrastructure at the Chester hospital, with modern intensive care unit facilities and the South Mersey Arterial Centre vascular network being based here.”
